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).

  • Publication number: 20070134550
    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: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicants: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 7226694
    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: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Hiromi Kajiya, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 7172832
    Abstract: A sealed battery (100) includes a power generation element (120), a battery case (110), and an external positive terminal (150) fixed to a first case wall (110a). Case side faces (110c, 110d) serve as external negative electrode portions providing an electrical connection to a negative electrode of the power generation element (120). The external positive terminal (150) has extended joint portions (155) extending in a direction perpendicular to the first case wall (110a). The extended joint portions (155) are laid to overlap from outside with and connected to the external negative electrode portions when the external positive terminal (150) of the sealed battery (100) is brought into contact with a second case wall (110b) of another sealed battery (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Takashi Asahina, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20060269839
    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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Applicants: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinsuke Fukuda, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Masato Onishi
  • Publication number: 20060246348
    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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Takashi Asahina, Yoshitaka Sunagawa, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 7090945
    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 which are joined to the leads on both sides of the electrode plate group, and include connection protrusions formed so as to protrude outside, and a bag-shape battery case containing the electrode plate group joined to the collectors such that only the connection protrusions of the collectors are protruded outside. A battery module is constituted by placing a plurality of the cells in a prismatic battery case while the connection protrusions of the collectors of the cells are connected with each other, thereby making the current-carrying path between the electrode plate groups straight and short and increasing the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinsuke Fukuda, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Masato Onishi
  • Patent number: 7022432
    Abstract: A prismatic sealed battery module includes: a prismatic battery case; an electrode plate group constituted by alternately layering positive and negative electrode plates with a separator arranged therebetween; and an electrolyte. The positive or negative electrode plates protruding from each end face of the electrode plate group are bonded to a collector member. A metal connector is fixed to the central part of the collector member facing the inner surface of the side end wall of the battery case. The collector member is connected, at the metal connector, to an external terminal using an externally connecting bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Shinsuke Fukuda, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20060057461
    Abstract: A sealed battery (100) includes a power generation element (120), a battery case (110), and an external positive terminal (150) fixed to a first case wall (110a). Case side faces (110c, 110d) serve as external negative electrode portions providing an electrical connection to a negative electrode of the power generation element (120). The external positive terminal (150) has extended joint portions (155) extending in a direction perpendicular to the first case wall (110a). The extended joint portions (155) are laid to overlap from outside with and connected to the external negative electrode portions when the external positive terminal (150) of the sealed battery (100) is brought into contact with a second case wall (110b) of another sealed battery (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Takashi Asahina, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20050214638
    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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicants: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Shinsuke Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6946219
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyoda Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Takashi Asahina
  • Patent number: 6939642
    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: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Shinsuke Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6924060
    Abstract: In a prismatic sealed battery module which includes a plurality of electrode plate groups, collectors joined to leads on both sides of the electrode plate group, and a prismatic battery case for storing the plurality of electrode plate groups, a connected-electrode-plate-group body is constituted by connecting the plurality of electrode groups with collectors interposed between them. A sheet covering both side surfaces and a bottom surface of the peripheral surfaces of the connected-electrode-plate-group body is provided. After gaps between the sheet and outer edges of the collectors are sealed, the connected-electrode-plate-group body is placed in the prismatic battery case. Thereby, the current-carrying paths between the electrode plate groups are short and straight, resulting in reduced internal resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Takashi Asahina, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 6914414
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Takashi Asahina, Toyohiko Eto, Ko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6890683
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 6833010
    Abstract: A prismatic battery module employs a prismatic battery case having a single space formed by connecting a plurality of prismatic cell cases in series. Collectors are connected to the lead portions on both sides of the electrode plate group, and adjacent collectors of associated electrode plate groups are connected to each other by using an electroconductive adhesive. The electrode plate groups connected in series are disposed in the prismatic battery case. Thereafter, a sealing material is applied to each space between each of the outer peripheries of the adjacent collectors and the wall surface of the prismatic battery case to partition the plurality of cell cases from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Toshiyuki Sekimori
  • Patent number: D548684
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toyohiko Eto, Shinji Hamada, Tomohiro Matsuura, Takashi Asahina
  • Patent number: D548685
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toyohiko Eto, Shinji Hamada, Tomohiro Matsuura, Takashi Asahina, Hiroyuki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: D548697
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Aichi
    Inventors: Toyohiko Eto, Shinji Hamada, Tomohiro Matsuura, Takashi Asahina, Hiroyuki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: D548698
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toyohiko Eto, Shinji Hamada, Tomohiro Matsuura, Takashi Asahina, Hiroyuki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: D548699
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toyohiko Eto, Shinji Hamada, Tomohiro Matsuura, Takashi Asahina