Patents by Inventor Wataru Shinohara

Wataru Shinohara 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: 20220402712
    Abstract: A medium conveying device includes a body in which a conveying path is formed, a separator configured to supply a first medium that is arranged on one side among a plurality of media to the conveying path, a conveyor configured to convey the first medium that is being conveyed and that is arranged on the conveying path along the conveying path, and a rib that protrudes from the one side to a conveying path part between the separator and the conveyor in the conveying path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventor: Wataru SHINOHARA
  • Patent number: 10672931
    Abstract: A solar cell is equipped with: a wafer; an n-type laminated body that is provided on the first main surface side of the wafer; and a p-type laminated body, which is provided on the first main surface side of the wafer such that the p-type laminated body is adjacent to the n-type laminated body in the X direction, and which extends in the Y direction. The wafer has: a lightly doped region that is doped to be n type; and a plurality of first main surface-side highly doped regions, which have an n-type dopant concentration that is higher than that of the lightly doped region, and which are provided between the lightly doped region and the p-type laminated body. The first main surface-side highly doped regions are discretely provided at intervals in the Y direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichiro Masuko, Wataru Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20190181291
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell, including: a step for irradiating a semiconductor substrate to cause the surface to become amorphous and to form an intrinsic amorphous layer, a first conductivity-type layer, and a second conductivity-type layer; and a step for introducing hydrogen into the intrinsic amorphous layer, the first conductivity-type layer, and the second conductivity-type layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Takahama, Wataru Shinohara, Yoshinari Ichihashi, Naoki Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20190027630
    Abstract: A solar cell is equipped with: a wafer; an n-type laminated body that is provided on the first main surface side of the wafer; and a p-type laminated body, which is provided on the first main surface side of the wafer such that the p-type laminated body is adjacent to the n-type laminated body in the X direction, and which extends in the Y direction. The wafer has: a lightly doped region that is doped to be n type; and a plurality of first main surface-side highly doped regions, which have an n-type dopant concentration that is higher than that of the lightly doped region, and which are provided between the lightly doped region and the p-type laminated body. The first main surface-side highly doped regions are discretely provided at intervals in the Y direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichiro Masuko, Wataru Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20190027637
    Abstract: In a backside-junction type solar cell, polycrystalline silicon grains including at least one of amorphous silicon microcrystalline silicon, and polycrystalline silicon exist discretely over a passivation layer and a second conductivity type layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Lt d.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Katayama, Wataru Shinohara, Keiichiro Masuko
  • Patent number: 10134935
    Abstract: In an embodiment, photoelectric conversion units (10) each include a package (12) accommodating a photoelectric conversion device (11). The package (12) has a front surface (12a) having a window (13); and a side surface (12c). The package (12) includes a first coupling portion (14) protruding from the side surface (12c) in a first direction X parallel to a light incident surface (11a) of the photoelectric conversion device (11), and a second coupling portion (15) recessed from the side surface (12c) in the first direction X. The first coupling portion (14) includes a first terminal (16) electrically connected with the photoelectric conversion device (11), and the second coupling portion (15) includes a second terminal (17) electrically connected with the photoelectric conversion device (11). The first coupling portion (14) and the second coupling portion (15) have shapes and sizes matching each other, and are coupled with each other by fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Miyuki Nakai, Satoshi Shibata, Wataru Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20160204293
    Abstract: In an embodiment, photoelectric conversion units (10) each include a package (12) accommodating a photoelectric conversion device (11). The package (12) has a front surface (12a) having a window (13); and a side surface (12c). The package (12) includes a first coupling portion (14) protruding from the side surface (12c) in a first direction X parallel to a light incident surface (11a) of the photoelectric conversion device (11), and a second coupling portion (15) recessed from the side surface (12c) in the first direction X. The first coupling portion (14) includes a first terminal (16) electrically connected with the photoelectric conversion device (11), and the second coupling portion (15) includes a second terminal (17) electrically connected with the photoelectric conversion device (11). The first coupling portion (14) and the second coupling portion (15) have shapes and sizes matching each other, and are coupled with each other by fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Miyuki NAKAI, Satoshi SHIBATA, Wataru SHINOHARA
  • Patent number: 9202957
    Abstract: A photoelectric converter device includes a front surface glass plate, a photoelectric conversion unit formed on the front surface glass plate and serving to generate electric power in response to incidence of light, and a back surface glass plate arranged so as to cover the photoelectric conversion unit. The front surface glass plate and the back surface glass plate are fused and joined in at least a part of a peripheral portion of the glass plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wataru Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20150194552
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes a translucent member disposed at a light-receiving side, a glass plate, having a through-hole, which is provided in such a position as to face the translucent member, a photovoltaic device provided between the translucent member and the glass plate, a sealing portion that seals the through-hole, a wiring, which is connected to the photovoltaic device and which is arranged in such a manner as to extend below the sealing portion, and a conductive member arranged on top of the wiring and below the sealing portion. The sealing portion includes a glass member, joined to an inner circumferential surface of the through-hole, and a metal terminal that outputs the electric power, generated in the photovoltaic device, to the exterior. The metal terminal is joined to the glass member in a manner such that the metal terminal penetrates the glass member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Satoru Ogasahara, Wataru Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20150059835
    Abstract: The present disclosure improves photoelectric conversion efficiency in a photovoltaic device. This photoelectric conversion device is provided with: a first glass plate; a photoelectric conversion unit, which is fixed onto the first glass plate, and which generates power corresponding to input of light; and a second glass plate, which is disposed to cover the photoelectric conversion unit. In the photoelectric conversion device, at least a part of the periphery of the first glass plate and that of the second glass plate are melted and bonded to each other, and the photoelectric conversion unit has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements connected in series or parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Wataru SHINOHARA
  • Publication number: 20140261684
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes: a front surface glass plate disposed on the light reception side; a rear surface glass plate provided so as to be opposed to the front surface glass plate; a photovoltaic device between the front surface glass plate and the rear surface glass plate; and a filler that fills a space between the front surface glass plate and the rear surface glass plate. The front surface glass plate and the rear surface glass plate have a bonded region which is melt-bonded at peripheral edge sections. Further, an air gap is present between the bonded region and the outer peripheral section of the filler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wataru SHINOHARA, Hiroyuki WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20140224320
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes a translucent member placed at a light-receiving side, a back-side member provided in such a position as to face the translucent member, a photovoltaic device provided between the translucent member and the back-side member, an electrode, connected to the photovoltaic device, which is provided between the translucent member and the back-side member, a current extraction member, provided on an outer surface of the back-side member, which is provided in such a manner as to electrically conduct to the electrode, and a sealing member filled in a region where the current extraction member and the back-side member face each other. The back-side member has a through-hole, and the current extraction member is secured to the back-side member by the sealing member so that the current extraction member can cover the entire through-hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wataru SHINOHARA
  • Patent number: 8445775
    Abstract: A solar cell module includes a first isolation groove for separating the first electrode layer; a second isolation groove for separating each of the first semiconductor layer, the transparent conductive layer, and the second semiconductor layer; and a third isolation groove formed in a position opposite from the first isolation groove across the second isolation groove and for separating each of the second electrode layer, the second semiconductor layer, the transparent conductive layer, and the first semiconductor layer. The second electrode layer includes: a first conductive layer formed on the first semiconductor layer constituting a bottom surface of the second isolation groove, on an inner wall of the second isolation groove, and on the second semiconductor layer; and a second conductive layer formed on the first conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Shinohara
  • Patent number: 8362354
    Abstract: A photovoltaic apparatus includes a second groove so formed as to cut at least an intermediate layer, an insulating member so formed as to cover at least a cut portion of the intermediate layer in the second groove and extend along an upper surface of a second photoelectric conversion layer, and a third groove so formed as to pass through a first photoelectric conversion layer, the intermediate layer, the second photoelectric conversion layer and the insulating member on a region opposite to a first groove with respect to the second groove, wherein the insulating member is so formed as to extend up to at least a region opposite to the first groove with respect to the third groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20120325315
    Abstract: A photoelectric converter device includes a front surface glass plate, a photoelectric conversion unit formed on the front surface glass plate and serving to generate electric power in response to incidence of light, and a back surface glass plate arranged so as to cover the photoelectric conversion unit. The front surface glass plate and the back surface glass plate are fused and joined in at least a part of a peripheral portion of the glass plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Shinohara
  • Patent number: 8207441
    Abstract: This photovoltaic apparatus comprises a second groove for electrically isolating first and second back electrodes from each other, a third groove formed on a region located between a first groove and the second groove to cut at least an intermediate layer from the upper surface of the second back electrode, a first insulating member embedded in the third groove to cover at least a cut portion of the intermediate layer and a conductive member electrically connected to the first substrate electrode on a region located between the second and third grooves and electrically connected to the second back electrode across the third groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20120145224
    Abstract: Disclosed is a solar cell module wherein peeling between a substrate and a photoelectric conversion layer is not easily generated. In the solar cell module, a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, each of which has a transparent electrode (12), a photoelectric conversion unit (14), and a rear surface electrode (16) sequentially stacked on a transparent substrate (10), are connected in series, and the solar cell module is provided with a slit (S2) formed by removing the transparent electrode (12) to a first width (D1), and a slit (S5), which overlaps the region where the transparent electrode (12) has been removed, and which has the photoelectric conversion unit (14) and the rear surface electrode (16) removed therefrom to a second width (D2) that is equal to or less than the first width (D1). On the surface of the transparent substrate (10) in the slit (S2), recesses and protrusions (34) are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Shinohara, Satoru Ogasahara
  • Publication number: 20120138131
    Abstract: A photovoltaic apparatus includes a first photoelectric conversion portion so formed on an insulating surface of a substrate as to cover a first substrate electrode and a second substrate electrode isolated from each other by a first groove, a second photoelectric conversion portion formed on the surface of the first photoelectric conversion portion through a conductive intermediate layer, a first back electrode and a second back electrode formed on the surface of said second photoelectric conversion portion and a connecting passage portion for electrically connecting the first substrate electrode and the second back electrode, provided at a prescribed interval from the side surface of said intermediate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru SHINOHARA
  • Patent number: 8115094
    Abstract: A photovoltaic apparatus includes a first photoelectric conversion portion so formed on an insulating surface of a substrate as to cover a first substrate electrode and a second substrate electrode isolated from each other by a first groove, a second photoelectric conversion portion formed on the surface of the first photoelectric conversion portion through a conductive intermediate layer, a first back electrode and a second back electrode formed on the surface of said second photoelectric conversion portion and a connecting passage portion for electrically connecting the first substrate electrode and the second back electrode, provided at a prescribed interval from the side surface of said intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20120015472
    Abstract: On a substrate is formed a transparent and conductive front electrode layer, on which is formed a photoelectric conversion unit that generates an electric power by a light. On the photoelectric conversion unit is formed a transparent and conductive film, on which a silver-containing back electrode layer. On the back electrode layer is formed further a back electrode reinforcing film formed by UV-irradiation of, or by heating of, or by heating after UV-irradiation of a layer that is obtained by applying a composition for reinforcing film on the back electrode layer with a wet coating method. Provided are a solar cell module with small deterioration of power generation efficiency even under a high humidity environment and with stable performance for a long period of time and a method that can produce the solar cell module more cheaply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicants: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiharu Hayashi, Kazuhiko Yamasaki, Masahide Arai, Satoko Ogawa, Wataru Shinohara