Patents by Inventor Tomonori Kunimitsu

Tomonori Kunimitsu 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: 11971458
    Abstract: In first coupling capacitor, a first terminal is connected to a first connection point on a current path of power storage in a state of being insulated from a ground. Second coupling capacitor has a second terminal connected to a second connection point that is on a current path of power storage and is lower in potential than the first connection point, and second coupling capacitor has a first terminal connected to a second terminal of first coupling capacitor. AC output unit applies a predetermined AC voltage via impedance element to third connection point between the second terminal of first coupling capacitor and the first terminal of second coupling capacitor. Voltage measurement unit measures a voltage at third connection point. Determination unit determines the presence or absence of an electrical fault on the basis of the voltage measured by voltage measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Nakayama, Tomonori Kunimitsu
  • Patent number: 11962172
    Abstract: In execution of an equalization process between a plurality of cells connected in series, power supply system is provided. In power supply system, control circuit performs active balancing between a plurality of cells included in each of a plurality of series cell groups, using a plurality of active cell balancing circuits, and performs passive balancing between the plurality of series cell groups. Voltage detection circuit connected to a series cell group being undergoing the passive balancing and consuming power is supplied with power from first power supply circuit. Voltage detection circuit connected to series cell group being undergoing active cell balancing by active cell balancing circuit is supplied with power from second power supply circuit higher in efficiency than first power supply circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonori Kunimitsu, Masato Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11906599
    Abstract: An earth leakage detecting device comprises following elements. A first end of coupling capacitor is connected to a current path of power storage connected to load in a state of being insulated from a ground. Voltage output unit generates a periodic voltage that changes periodically, and applies the periodic voltage to a second end of coupling capacitor via impedance element. Voltage measurer measures a voltage at a connection point between coupling capacitor and impedance element. Earth leakage determiner determines presence or absence of an earth leakage between the current path of power storage and the ground on the basis of the measured voltage. Voltage output unit has a preparation period for constantly outputting a potential between a high-side potential and a low-side potential of the periodic voltage before a measurement period for outputting the periodic voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Nakayama, Tomonori Kunimitsu, Taisuke Hamada, Jun Asakura
  • Patent number: 11879948
    Abstract: In electrical fault detection device that is mounted on a vehicle and includes: energy storage unit to be mounted in a state of being insulated from a chassis ground of the vehicle; first switch inserted into positive wire; and second switch inserted into negative wire, in order to suppress a total cost by not using an expensive component while securing detection accuracy, electrical fault detection device further includes coupling capacitor, AC output unit, first voltage measurement unit, first determination unit, voltage dividing circuit, second voltage measurement unit, and second determination unit. Voltage dividing circuit is connected between positive wire between first switch and one end of load and negative wire between second switch and the other end of load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Nakayama, Tomonori Kunimitsu, Taisuke Hamada, Yasuharu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20230226929
    Abstract: A battery module includes battery stack (2) including a plurality of stacked battery cells (1), a pair of end plates (3) disposed at both end parts in a stacking direction of battery stack (2), bind bar (4) in which the pair of end plates (3) are coupled, and electronic circuit block (6) mounted with voltage detection circuit (22) that detects a voltage of battery cells (1). Electronic circuit block (6) is disposed on an outer surface of both end plates (3) disposed at both end parts of battery stack (2), and electronic circuit block (6) is connected to battery cells (1) via voltage detection line (19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: TOMONORI KUNIMITSU, MASATO NAKAYAMA, JUNYA YANO, TAISUKE HAMADA
  • Publication number: 20230202345
    Abstract: A power supply device includes battery stack (2) in which a plurality of battery cells (1) are stacked, and a plurality of battery modules (10) including cell monitor circuits (6) that detect battery information of battery cells (1), and cell monitor circuits (6) of the battery modules (10) are cascade-connected via communication lines (44). Battery module (10) includes a pair of communication terminals (43) that are arranged at both ends and are connected to cell monitor circuit (6), and inner wires (45) that connect the pair of communication terminals (43) positioned at both the ends. Communication line (44) is connected to communication terminal (43), and cell monitor circuits (6) of the plurality of battery modules (10) are cascade-connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: JUNYA YANO, MASATO NAKAYAMA, TOMONORI KUNIMITSU, TAISUKE HAMADA
  • Publication number: 20230143369
    Abstract: In a battery module, end plates disposed at both ends of battery stack are connected by binding bars. Electrode terminals of respective battery cells and voltage detection circuit of electronic circuit block are connected by a plurality of voltage detection lines. Electronic circuit block is disposed on an outer surface of end plate and fixes one connector formed by linearly disposing a plurality of connecting terminals to which voltage detection lines are connected to circuit board on which voltage detection circuit is mounted. Voltage detection circuit is provided with a plurality of input terminals arranged in a linear manner. In circuit board, connecting terminal and input terminal disposed at opposite positions are connected by a plurality of connection lines. A cell voltage of each battery cell is input from connection line to adjacent input terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: JUNYA YANO, TOMONORI KUNIMITSU, MASATO NAKAYAMA, TAISUKE HAMADA
  • Patent number: 11626741
    Abstract: Main management unit manages the plurality of power storage modules via the plurality of sub-management units. Main management unit and the plurality of sub-management units are daisy-chain connected by power line. Main management unit can supply power from power storage unit other than the plurality of power storage modules to the plurality of sub-management units via power line. Main management unit and the plurality of sub-management units respectively include communication units. Each of communication units superimposes a communication signal on power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimihiko Furukawa, Tomonori Kunimitsu
  • Patent number: 11588185
    Abstract: A plurality of power source circuits is each configured to be able to selectively charge any one of a plurality of cells included in each of series cell groups by using a voltage across each of series cell groups. The plurality of discharge circuits are each configured to be able to discharge a capacity stored in each of series cell groups. A controlling circuit equalizes the states of the plurality of cells included in each of the series cell groups by using the plurality of power source circuits. The controlling circuit equalizes the states of the plurality of series cell groups by using the plurality of discharge circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomonori Kunimitsu
  • Publication number: 20220357409
    Abstract: An earth leakage detecting device comprises following elements. A first end of coupling capacitor is connected to a current path of power storage connected to load in a state of being insulated from a ground. Voltage output unit generates a periodic voltage that changes periodically, and applies the periodic voltage to a second end of coupling capacitor via impedance element. Voltage measurer measures a voltage at a connection point between coupling capacitor and impedance element. Earth leakage determiner determines presence or absence of an earth leakage between the current path of power storage and the ground on the basis of the measured voltage. Voltage output unit has a preparation period for constantly outputting a potential between a high-side potential and a low-side potential of the periodic voltage before a measurement period for outputting the periodic voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: MASATO NAKAYAMA, TOMONORI KUNIMITSU, TAISUKE HAMADA, JUN ASAKURA
  • Publication number: 20220320600
    Abstract: An electronic circuit block including a voltage detection circuit from a high-temperature, high-pressure exhaust gas, a battery module includes: a battery stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a pair of end plates disposed at both end parts in a stacking direction of the battery stack; bind bar coupling the pair of end plates to fix the battery cells; and electronic circuit block on which the voltage detection circuit for detecting voltages of the battery cells is mounted, and electronic circuit block is disposed on a surface of end plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: JUNYA YANO, TOMONORI KUNIMITSU, MASATO NAKAYAMA, TAISUKE HAMADA
  • Publication number: 20220120823
    Abstract: In electrical fault detection device that is mounted on a vehicle and includes: energy storage unit to be mounted in a state of being insulated from a chassis ground of the vehicle; first switch inserted into positive wire; and second switch inserted into negative wire, in order to suppress a total cost by not using an expensive component while securing detection accuracy, electrical fault detection device further includes coupling capacitor, AC output unit, first voltage measurement unit, first determination unit, voltage dividing circuit, second voltage measurement unit, and second determination unit. Voltage dividing circuit is connected between positive wire between first switch and one end of load and negative wire between second switch and the other end of load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: MASATO NAKAYAMA, TOMONORI KUNIMITSU, TAISUKE HAMADA, YASUHARU TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20220011377
    Abstract: In first coupling capacitor, a first terminal is connected to a first connection point on a current path of power storage in a state of being insulated from a ground. Second coupling capacitor has a second terminal connected to a second connection point that is on a current path of power storage and is lower in potential than the first connection point, and second coupling capacitor has a first terminal connected to a second terminal of first coupling capacitor. AC output unit applies a predetermined AC voltage via impedance element to third connection point between the second terminal of first coupling capacitor and the first terminal of second coupling capacitor. Voltage measurement unit measures a voltage at third connection point. Determination unit determines the presence or absence of an electrical fault on the basis of the voltage measured by voltage measurement unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: MASATO NAKAYAMA, TOMONORI KUNIMITSU
  • Publication number: 20210399361
    Abstract: A battery module includes: a stack of a plurality of battery cells; an end plate provided at an axial end portion of the stack of the battery cells; a substrate provided on a side opposite to the battery cells with respect to the end plate; a mounted component provided on the substrate; and a heat transfer body that is provided between the substrate and the end plate and that transfers, to the end plate, heat generated from the mounted component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Tomonori KUNIMITSU, Junya YANO, Masato NAKAYAMA, Taisuke HAMADA, Jun ASAKURA
  • Patent number: 11201478
    Abstract: A management device manages an electricity storage module having: a first cell module and a second cell module each including a plurality of cells connected in series; and a conductive connection member for connecting the first cell module and the second cell module in series. A voltage detection circuit is connected to the nodes of the respective cells through voltage detection lines to detect the voltage of each of the cells and the voltage at both ends of the connection member. A control circuit distinguishes between and recognizes the voltage of each of the cells and the voltage at both ends of the connection member, which are detected by the voltage detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junya Yano, Tomonori Kunimitsu
  • Publication number: 20210320505
    Abstract: In execution of an equalization process between a plurality of cells connected in series, power supply system is provided. In power supply system, control circuit performs active balancing between a plurality of cells included in each of a plurality of series cell groups, using a plurality of active cell balancing circuits, and performs passive balancing between the plurality of series cell groups. Voltage detection circuit connected to a series cell group being undergoing the passive balancing and consuming power is supplied with power from first power supply circuit. Voltage detection circuit connected to series cell group being undergoing active cell balancing by active cell balancing circuit is supplied with power from second power supply circuit higher in efficiency than first power supply circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: TOMONORI KUNIMITSU, MASATO NAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20210159710
    Abstract: Main management unit manages the plurality of power storage modules via the plurality of sub-management units. Main management unit and the plurality of sub-management units are daisy-chain connected by power line. Main management unit can supply power from power storage unit other than the plurality of power storage modules to the plurality of sub-management units via power line. Main management unit and the plurality of sub-management units respectively include communication units. Each of communication units superimposes a communication signal on power line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: KIMIHIKO FURUKAWA, TOMONORI KUNIMITSU
  • Publication number: 20210083331
    Abstract: A plurality of power source circuits is each configured to be able to selectively charge any one of a plurality of cells included in each of series cell groups by using a voltage across each of series cell groups. The plurality of discharge circuits are each configured to be able to discharge a capacity stored in each of series cell groups. A controlling circuit equalizes the states of the plurality of cells included in each of the series cell groups by using the plurality of power source circuits. The controlling circuit equalizes the states of the plurality of series cell groups by using the plurality of discharge circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomonori Kunimitsu
  • Publication number: 20190361057
    Abstract: A current detector includes a temperature sensor that detects a temperature that corrects variation in electric resistance of a shunt resistor caused by a temperature of the shunt resistor. The shunt resistor detects electric current. The temperature sensor includes a thermocouple. The thermocouple includes a pair of temperature detecting leads made of different types of metals, respectively. The pair of temperature detecting leads are connected to each other at a measurement point at front ends of the pair of temperature detecting leads. A measurement point of the thermocouple is electrically connected to the shunt resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Nakano, Tomonori Kunimitsu, Katsutoshi Koyama
  • Publication number: 20190222036
    Abstract: A management device manages an electricity storage module having: a first cell module and a second cell module each including a plurality of cells connected in series; and a conductive connection member for connecting the first cell module and the second cell module in series. A voltage detection circuit is connected to the nodes of the respective cells through voltage detection lines to detect the voltage of each of the cells and the voltage at both ends of the connection member. A control circuit distinguishes between and recognizes the voltage of each of the cells and the voltage at both ends of the connection member, which are detected by the voltage detection circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junya Yano, Tomonori Kunimitsu