Patents by Inventor Yasuhiko Bito

Yasuhiko Bito 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: 20100009258
    Abstract: A negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery, including: a negative electrode material mixture including an active material powder capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing lithium, and a binder, wherein the active material includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si and Sn, and the binder includes at least one selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer and an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Masaki Hasegawa, Yasuhiko Bito
  • Patent number: 7635540
    Abstract: A negative electrode containing an alloying material and a graphite material for providing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery with a high capacity and excellent cycle characteristics. The negative electrode includes graphite and an alloying material capable of electrochemically absorbing and desorbing Li. The alloying material includes an A phase composed mainly of Si and a B phase including an intermetallic compound of a transition metal element and Si. The A phase and/or the B phase include a microcrystalline or amorphous region. The weight percentage of the A phase relative to the total weight of the A phase and the B phase is greater than 40% and not greater than 95%. The weight percentage of the graphite relative to the total weight of the alloying material and the graphite is not less than 50% and not greater than 95%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshitada Sato, Masaki Hasegawa, Teruaki Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Bito
  • Patent number: 7622221
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a manganese oxide having a spinel structure, wherein the manganese oxide is represented by the general formula: Li1+aMn2?x?aMxO4+y, where M is a transition metal element having an oxidation number of 2 or greater, M?Mn, 0.17?x?0.5, ?0.2?y?0.5 and 0?a?0.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Waki, Youko Sano, Yasuhiko Bito, Tetsuo Nanno
  • Patent number: 7597997
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery with excellent charging/discharging cycle characteristics is provided, more specifically a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery in which deterioration of the conductivity of a negative electrode due to charging/discharging cycle is suppressed and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes: a positive electrode and a negative electrode that are capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing Li ions; and a nonaqueous electrolyte having lithium ion conductivity. The negative electrode includes a collector and active material particles that are disposed on a surface of the collector. The active material particles include Si and at least one element R selected from the group consisting of Sn, In, Ga, Pb and Bi. Metallic bond including the element R is formed between the active material particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshitada Sato, Harunari Shimamura, Hideaki Ohyama, Yasuhiko Bito
  • Publication number: 20090181307
    Abstract: An AA alkaline battery according to the present invention includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator; an alkaline electrolyte; and a negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode contains zinc, indium, and bismuth. The weight of zinc is 4.0 g or more, and the total weight of indium and bismuth is 450 ppm or less with respect to the weight of zinc. The negative electrode current collector contains copper. Tin is provided on at least part of the surface of the negative electrode current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Yasuhiko BITO, Fumio Kato, Harunari Shimamura
  • Publication number: 20090176157
    Abstract: In a battery casing, there are accommodated a positive electrode containing manganese dioxide, a negative electrode containing zinc, and an electrolyte containing an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide. The negative electrode contains bismuth of 100 ppm or less. In an AA dry battery, the amount of zinc in the negative electrode is 4.00 g or more, and the weight of the electrolyte is 4.00 g or more. In an AAA dry battery, the amount of zinc in the negative electrode is 1.71 g or more, and the weight of the electrolyte is 1.77 g or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Hidekatsu IZUMI, Fumio KATO, Seiji WADA, Yasuhiko BITO, Eiji TANO
  • Publication number: 20090169988
    Abstract: An AA alkaline dry battery includes a bottomed cylindrical casing of which internal volume is 6.25 ml or larger and which accommodates a positive electrode containing manganese dioxide of 9.30 g or more, a negative electrode containing zinc, and electrolyte containing an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide of which concentration is 33.5 wt % or lower; a sealing member sealing the casing; and a negative electrode current collector extending from the sealing member into the negative electrode. The dry battery has, as discharge characteristics in the middle rate current discharge (AA dry batter), discharge duration until the battery voltage becomes 0.9 V is 9.3 hours or longer where discharge at 250 mA is performed at 25° C. for one hour per day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Fumio KATO, Hidekatsu IZUMI, Yasushi SUMIHIRO, Yasuhiko BITO, Eiji TANO
  • Patent number: 7537862
    Abstract: A negative electrode containing an alloying material and a graphite material for providing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery with a high capacity and excellent cycle characteristics. The negative electrode includes graphite and at least one alloying material capable of electrochemically absorbing and desorbing Li. The alloying material includes an A phase composed mainly of Si and a B phase including an intermetallic compound of at least one transition metal element and Si. At least one of the A phase and the B phase includes a microcrystalline or amorphous region. The weight percentage of the A phase relative to the total weight of the A phase and the B phase is greater than 40% and not greater than 95%. The weight percentage of the graphite relative to the total weight of the alloying material and the graphite is not less than 50% and not greater than 95%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshitada Sato, Masaki Hasegawa, Teruaki Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Bito
  • Publication number: 20090017382
    Abstract: The invention includes, as a positive electrode material, active material particles comprising a lithium-containing manganese oxide represented by the general formula: Li1+aMn2?x?aMxO4+y where M is a transition metal element other than Mn, 0<x?0.5, ?0.2?y?0.5, and 0?a?0.33. The molar ratio A of M to the total of Mn and M in the surface of the active material particles and the molar ratio B of M to the total of Mn and M in the whole active material particles satisfy the relations: A/B>1.0 and A?0.3. In an X-ray diffraction analysis using CuKa radiation as an X-ray source, the intensity ratio of the largest peak of peaks attributed to an oxide of the transition metal element M to a peak around 2?=36.4° is 0.25 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Shinichi Waki, Yasuhiko Bito
  • Publication number: 20080113269
    Abstract: In a negative electrode material for lithium secondary batteries, basic material particles include one of phase A having silicon as a main component, and a mixed phase of phase B including an intermetallic compound of a transition metal element and silicon and the phase A. The phase A or the mixed phase is microcrystalline or amorphous. A carbon material is adhered to surfaces of the basic material particles, and a film containing a silicon oxide is formed on remained surface portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Toshitada Sato, Yasuhiko Bito
  • Publication number: 20080113271
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention includes a pelletized negative electrode. An active material for the negative electrode includes a first phase mainly composed of Si and a second phase containing a silicide of a transition metal. At least one of the first and second phases is amorphous or low-crystalline. The mean particle size (D50) is 0.50 to 20 ?m, and the 10% diameter (D10) and 90% diameter (D90) in a volume cumulative particle size distribution are respectively 0.10 to 5.0 ?m and 5.0 to 80 ?m. The battery is improved in density and current collecting properties of the negative electrode, has a high capacity, and has an excellent cycle life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ueda, Youko Sano, Tetsuo Nanno, Yuu Inatomi, Teruaki Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Bito
  • Publication number: 20080096110
    Abstract: The negative electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention includes a conductive porous substrate, and a conductive material and an active material filled in pores of the porous substrate. The active material contains at least one of a metal element and a semi-metal element capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing lithium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko BITO, Youko SANO, Teruaki YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20080090149
    Abstract: The non-aqueous electrolyte battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode includes a molded body including Si-containing negative electrode active material particles and a conductive agent. The conductive agent includes a first conductive agent and a fibrous second conductive agent. The first conductive agent covers at least a portion of the surface of the Si-containing negative electrode active material particles, and the second conductive agent is in contact with at least two Si-containing negative electrode active material particles with the first conductive agent on the surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youko Sano, Yasuhiko Bito
  • Publication number: 20080081260
    Abstract: A negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes silicon and a transition metal, and has a silicon oxide film and an oxide film of the transition metal on the surface of the material. The thickness ratio of the transition metal oxide film to the silicon oxide film is at least 0.44 and smaller than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Masaki Hasegawa, Yasuhiko Bito
  • Patent number: 7248023
    Abstract: A charger for a secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode including lithium-containing silicon represented by the composition formula LixSi, and an electrolyte. This charger includes: (1) a voltage detector that detects voltage of the secondary battery that is being charged; and (2) a charge controller that calculates the value x in LixSi included in the secondary battery from an output of the voltage detector and stops the charging of the secondary battery when the calculated value x reaches a predetermined threshold value. The charge controller has at least one settable threshold value including a first threshold value, and the first threshold value is 2.33 or less. The use of this charger makes it possible to charge the secondary battery such that it has a high capacity, or a higher capacity if necessary, without accelerating the deterioration of cycle life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideharu Takezawa, Masaaki Kuranuki, Yasuhiko Bito
  • Publication number: 20070122708
    Abstract: A negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention is a negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing lithium, and it includes a solid phase A and a solid phase B that have different compositions and has a structure in which the surface around the solid phase A is entirely or partly covered by the solid phase B. The solid phase A contains at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon, tin and zinc, and the solid phase B contains the above-described at least one element contained in the solid phase A, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Group IIA elements, transition elements, Group IIB elements, Group IIIB elements and Group IVB elements. The atomic arrangement and structure (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicants: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., SUMITOMO METAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Harunari Shimamura, Takayuki Nakamoto, Hideaki Ohyama, Yasuhiko Bito
  • Publication number: 20070111100
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a positive electrode capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing lithium, a negative electrode including an alloy material as an active material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the alloy material includes a phase (phase A) containing at least Si and a phase (phase B) containing an intermetallic compound composed of Si and at least one selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Ni and Cu, and the alloy material contains 0.0006 to 1.0 wt % of Fe in a metallic state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Bito, Teruaki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20070082266
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a manganese oxide having a spinel structure, wherein the manganese oxide is represented by the general formula: Li1+aMn2?x?aMxO4+y, where M is a transition metal element having an oxidation number of 2 or greater, M?Mn, 0.17?x?0.5, ?0.2?y??0.5 and 0?a?0.2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Shinichi Waki, Youko Sano, Yasuhiko Bito, Tetsuo Nanno
  • Publication number: 20070065720
    Abstract: A negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery includes a negative electrode active material layer. The negative electrode active material layer contains a negative electrode active material capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing lithium, and a binder. The binder comprises at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid, and the polymer comprises an acid anhydride group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Masaki Hasegawa, Yasuhiko Bito
  • Publication number: 20070048609
    Abstract: A negative electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery in the present invention includes an active material including Si, a conductive material, and a binder. The binder is polyimide and polyacrylic acid, and the conductive material is a carbon material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ueda, Tetsuo Nanno, Yasuhiko Bito