Patents by Inventor Yukinari Tanabe
Yukinari Tanabe 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).
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Publication number: 20240280637Abstract: An estimation system includes a battery, an inverter, a motor, a U-phase current sensor, and an ECU. The inverter includes U-phase upper and lower arm circuits, V-phase upper and lower arm circuits, and W-phase upper and lower arm circuits. A mode of the inverter includes a first mode in which the U-phase upper arm circuit, the V-phase lower arm circuit, and the W-phase lower arm circuit are on and a second mode in which the U-phase lower arm circuit, the V-phase upper arm circuit, and the W-phase upper arm circuit are on. The ECU performs estimation processing for estimating a current value of the battery. The estimation processing includes first processing for estimating the current value in accordance with a detection value from the U-phase current sensor when the mode of the inverter is set to the first mode or the second mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2024Publication date: August 22, 2024Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuko ASANO, Yukinari Tanabe
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Publication number: 20240140186Abstract: A power storage device is a power storage device provided on a lower surface of a floor panel of a vehicle, the power storage device including: a housing case; a power storage module housed in the housing case; and a cooler housed in the housing case to cool the power storage module, wherein the housing case includes a bottom plate, a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows is formed in a portion of the housing case, the portion being located above the bottom plate, and the refrigerant passage is connected to the cooler.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yutaroh Gotoh, Yukinari Tanabe, Yugo Mochizuki
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Patent number: 11897322Abstract: A power storage device is a power storage device provided on a lower surface of a floor panel of a vehicle, the power storage device including: a housing case; a power storage module housed in the housing case; and a cooler housed in the housing case to cool the power storage module, wherein the housing case includes a bottom plate, a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows is formed in a portion of the housing case, the portion being located above the bottom plate, and the refrigerant passage is connected to the cooler.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yutaroh Gotoh, Yukinari Tanabe, Yugo Mochizuki
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Publication number: 20220032759Abstract: A power storage device is a power storage device provided on a lower surface of a floor panel of a vehicle, the power storage device including: a housing case; a power storage module housed in the housing case; and a cooler housed in the housing case to cool the power storage module, wherein the housing case includes a bottom plate, a refrigerant passage through which a refrigerant flows is formed in a portion of the housing case, the portion being located above the bottom plate, and the refrigerant passage is connected to the cooler.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Yutaroh Gotoh, Yukinari Tanabe, Yugo Mochizuki
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Patent number: 10651446Abstract: A battery includes at least an electrode group including a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode, and a protection layer. The separator is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector, a positive electrode mixture layer, and a positive electrode tab. The positive electrode mixture layer is disposed on a surface of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode tab is electrically connected to the positive electrode current collector. The protection layer covers a surface of the positive electrode tab. A volume resistivity of the protection layer is within a range of one to 100 times a volume resistivity of the positive electrode mixture layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yukinari Tanabe, Keiji Kaita, Nobuyuki Yamazaki, Masaru Takagi, Teruo Ishishita
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Patent number: 10158241Abstract: An electricity storage system includes an electricity storage block including an electricity storage element for performing charging and discharging; a relay switched between an ON state in which the electric storage block is connected to a load and an OFF state in which a connection between the electricity storage block and the load is cut off; a controller for controlling the ON state and the OFF state of the relay; and a current cutoff circuit so as to cut off energization of the electricity storage block. The current cutoff circuit has an alarm circuit to indicate that the electricity storage block is in an overcharged state by comparing a voltage value of the electricity storage block and a threshold; a latch circuit retains the alarm signal; and a transistor receives an output signal of the latch circuit and switches the relay from the ON state to the OFF state.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2012Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yukinari Tanabe, Yuji Nishi, Hiroyuki Kaiya, Hiromasa Tanaka, Keiji Kaita, Motoi Ito
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Publication number: 20180337383Abstract: A battery includes at least an electrode group including a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode and a protection layer. The separator is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector, a positive electrode mixture layer, and a positive electrode tab. The positive electrode mixture layer is disposed on a surface of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode tab is electrically connected to the positive electrode current collector. The protection layer covers a surface of the positive electrode tab. A volume resistivity of the protection layer is within a range of one to 100 times a volume resistivity of the positive electrode mixture layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yukinari Tanabe, Keiji Kaita, Nobuyuki Yamazaki, Masaru Takagi, Teruo Ishishita
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Patent number: 10096992Abstract: An electrical storage system includes an electrical storage device (10); a relay (SMR-B, SMR-G, SMR-P) switching between on/off states; a current interruption circuit (60) interrupting energization of the electrical storage device by causing the relay to switch from the on state to the off state; and a controller (30) executing drive control over the relay. The current interruption circuit includes an alarm circuit (63) outputting an alarm signal indicating overcharging/overdischarging of any one electrical storage block by comparing a voltage value of each electrical storage block with a threshold; a latch circuit (64) retaining the alarm signal; and a transistor (68) causing the relay to switch from the on state to the off state upon reception of an output signal of the latch circuit. The controller determines an energization state of the electrical storage device by executing control for turning on the relay while control for causing the alarm circuit to output the alarm signal is being executed.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2013Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keiji Kaita, Yuji Nishi, Yukinari Tanabe, Hiromasa Tanaka, Motoi Ito
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Publication number: 20180241014Abstract: A cylindrical battery includes a battery case, a cap, an electric insulating ring, and an outer package label. The battery case houses an electrode body therein, and is connected to negative electrodes. The cap includes a first projecting portion sealing a housing opening of the battery case and serving as a positive electrode projection, and a flat portion connected to the first projecting portion, a peripheral edge portion of the flat portion being located adjacent to the battery case with an electric insulator interposed therebetween. The electric insulating ring covers the flat portion and an adjacent portion between the flat portion and the battery case, and is formed with an exposure hole corresponding to the first projecting portion. A second projecting portion is provided on a surface of the flat portion that faces the electric insulating ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaya MURASE, Yukinari TANABE, Keiji KAITA, Teruo ISHISHITA
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Patent number: 10024919Abstract: A system for determining fixation of a relay has an electricity storage device, an electrical apparatus, a relay, a first insulation resistor, a second insulation resistor, a detection circuit, and a controller. When the relay is controlled to OFF, the controller determines, based on the voltage value detected by the detection circuit (the detected voltage value), whether or not the relay is fixed. When the detected voltage value is a voltage value that is obtained by dividing the reference voltage value by a combined resistance value and the reference resistance value, the controller determines that the relay is fixed. When the detected voltage value is a voltage value that is obtained by dividing the reference voltage value by the first resistance value and the reference resistance value, the controller determines that the relay is not fixed.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuji Nishi, Yukinari Tanabe, Hiroyuki Kaiya, Hiromasa Tanaka
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Publication number: 20180138476Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of column-shaped batteries 12, a battery holder 14 having a plurality of retention holes 15 and being configured to hold the plurality of column-shaped batteries 12 in an upright position, and an adhesive placed between an inner circumferential surface of each of the retention holes 15 and an outer circumferential surface of a corresponding one of the column-shaped batteries 12. At least one of the inner circumferential surface of the retention hole 15 and the outer circumferential surface of the column-shaped battery 12 has an uneven surface 70 having a surface height varying in accordance with at least the position in the axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2017Publication date: May 17, 2018Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nobuyuki YAMAZAKI, Yukinari TANABE
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Patent number: 9941712Abstract: An electrical storage system includes a relay switching between an on state where an electrical storage device (10) is connected to a load and an off state where connection of the electrical storage device with the load is interrupted; a controller controlling an on-off state of the relay; and a current interruption circuit (60) interrupting energization of the electrical storage device. The current interruption circuit includes an alarm circuit (63) outputting an alarm signal indicating that any one electrical storage block is in an overcharged state by comparing a voltage value of each electrical storage block with a threshold; a latch circuit (64) retaining the alarm signal; a transistor (66) causing the relay to switch from the on state to the off state upon reception of an output signal of the latch circuit; and a power supply circuit (63d) generating electric power for operating the latch circuit using electric power of the electrical storage device.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2013Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keiji Kaita, Yuji Nishi, Yukinari Tanabe, Hiromasa Tanaka, Motoi Ito
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Patent number: 9849793Abstract: An electrical storage system includes a main battery, an auxiliary battery, a bidirectional DC-DC converter and a controller. The bidirectional DC-DC converter is provided between the auxiliary battery and a power supply path from the main battery to a driving motor. The bidirectional DC-DC converter steps down an output voltage from the power supply path to the auxiliary battery, and steps up an output voltage from the auxiliary battery to the power supply path. The controller controls charging and discharging of the auxiliary battery. The controller, when an allowable output power of the main battery decreases and an electric power becomes insufficient for a required vehicle output, supplies an electric power to the power supply path by discharging the auxiliary battery by using the bidirectional DC-DC converter.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroki Tashiro, Hiromasa Tanaka, Yuji Nishi, Yukinari Tanabe, Hiroyuki Kaiya
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Publication number: 20170125995Abstract: An electricity storage system includes an electricity storage device, a positive electrode line, a negative electrode line, a capacitor, at least two diodes, and a first intermediate line. The electricity storage device is able to supply power to a load. The electricity storage device includes at least two electricity storage groups connected in series. The electricity storage group includes at least two electricity storage elements connected in series. Each electricity storage element includes a current breaker. The capacitor is connected to the positive and negative electrode lines. At least two diodes are connected in series between the positive electrode line and the negative electrode line and are respectively connected in parallel to the electricity storage groups. The first intermediate line is connected between a first connection point at which the electricity storage groups are connected together and a second connection point at which the diodes are connected together.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuji Nishi, Yukinari Tanabe, Hiromasa Tanaka, Hiroyuki Kaiya, Takahiko Hirasawa, Junta Izumi
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Patent number: 9577458Abstract: An electrical storage system includes: an electrical storage device (10) including serially connected electrical storage blocks; a relay (SMR-B, SMR-G) switching a connection state between the electrical storage device and a load; a controller (30, 34) controlling the relay; and a current interruption circuit (60) interrupting energization of the electrical storage device. The current interruption circuit (60) includes an alarm circuit (63) outputting an alarm signal indicating that any one electrical storage block is overcharged or overdischarged by comparing a voltage value of each electrical storage block with a threshold; a latch circuit (64) retaining the alarm signal; and a transistor (68) causing the relay to switch from an on state to an off state upon reception of a latch circuit output signal. The controller determines an energization state of the electrical storage device after executing control for causing the alarm circuit to output the alarm signal by changing the voltage value or the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keiji Kaita, Yuji Nishi, Yukinari Tanabe, Hiromasa Tanaka, Motoi Ito
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Publication number: 20160236581Abstract: An electrical storage system includes a main battery, an auxiliary battery, a bidirectional DC-DC converter and a controller. The bidirectional DC-DC converter is provided between the auxiliary battery and a power supply path from the main battery to a driving motor. The bidirectional DC-DC converter steps down an output voltage from the power supply path to the auxiliary battery, and steps up an output voltage from the auxiliary battery to the power supply path. The controller controls charging and discharging of the auxiliary battery. The controller, when an allowable output power of the main battery decreases and an electric power becomes insufficient for a required vehicle output, supplies an electric power to the power supply path by discharging the auxiliary battery by using the bidirectional DC-DC converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2014Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroki TASHIRO, Hiromasa TANAKA, Yuji NISHI, Yukinari TANABE, Hiroyuki KAIYA
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Publication number: 20160223615Abstract: A system for determining fixation of a relay has an electricity storage device, an electrical apparatus, a relay, a first insulation resistor, a second insulation resistor, a detection circuit, and a controller. When the relay is controlled to OFF, the controller determines, based on the voltage value detected by the detection circuit (the detected voltage value), whether or not the relay is fixed. When the detected voltage value is a voltage value that is obtained by dividing the reference voltage value by a combined resistance value and the reference resistance value, the controller determines that the relay is fixed. When the detected voltage value is a voltage value that is obtained by dividing the reference voltage value by the first resistance value and the reference resistance value, the controller determines that the relay is not fixed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2014Publication date: August 4, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuji NISHI, Yukinari TANABE, Hiroyuki KAIYA, Hiromasa TANAKA
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Patent number: 9252608Abstract: A first electrical storage stack is connected in series with a second electrical storage stack. A current interrupter is configured to interrupt a current path by being removed from the current path. First and second detection line are respectively connected to first and second terminals of the first electrical storage stack. The second electrical storage stack is connected to the second terminal of the first electrical storage stack via the current interrupter. A third detection line is connected to a portion of the current path, located on the second electrical storage stack side of the current interrupter. A controller is configured to control charging and discharging operations of each of the first and second electrical storage stacks on the basis of the voltage of the first electrical storage stack, the voltage being detected via the first detection line and the third detection line.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hironobu Kawashima, Yukinari Tanabe
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Publication number: 20150357856Abstract: [Problem] To provide a configuration for cutting off energization of an electricity storage block without interposing a controller. [Solution] The electricity storage system has: an electricity storage block including an electricity storage element (11) for performing charging and discharging; a relay (SMR-B, SMR-G) switched between an ON state in which the electric storage block is connected to a load (22, 23) and an OFF state in which a connection between the electricity storage block and the load is cut off; a controller (34) for controlling the ON state and the OFF state of the relay; and a current cutoff circuit (60) for switching the relay from the ON state to the OFF state, so as to cut off energization of the electricity storage block.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2012Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yukinari TANABE, Yuji NISHI, Hiroyuki KAIYA, Hiromasa TANAKA, Keiji KAITA, Motoi ITO
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Patent number: 9182448Abstract: A plurality of detection units are connected respectively in parallel with a plurality of battery cells connected in series. The detection units each include an inductor and a zener diode connected in series. A battery checker includes a plurality of detection inductors and a single voltmeter that form a closed circuit. A plurality of detection inductors are arranged so that they are magnetically coupled respectively with the inductors of the plurality of detection units. Each zener diode is connected with the polarity to be reverse biased by the output voltage of the battery cell. Respective breakdown voltages of the zener diodes are set higher than the output voltage of each battery cell in normal use and different in a stepwise manner from each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2010Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yukinari Tanabe