Patents by Inventor Yutaka Hotta

Yutaka Hotta 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: 9282685
    Abstract: Flux concentration cores that encircle bus bars are arranged at different heights. When viewed from an extending direction (a Z-direction) of the bus bars, the first flux concentration core and the second flux concentration core that are adjacent to one another partially overlap each other, and the second flux concentration core and the third flux concentration core that are adjacent to each other partially overlap each other. Therefore, the flux concentration cores are able to be arranged around the bus bars even when the spaces between the bus bars are narrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Seo, Yutaka Hotta
  • Patent number: 9254871
    Abstract: The present invention comprises side members (15), which are vehicular skeleton members of a hybrid vehicle (10); a front cross member (18) for connecting the two side members (15); spring supports (16) connected to the side members (15); an auxiliary battery arranged further towards the vehicle front relative to a PCU (13) and attached to the front cross member (18) via a support platform (23) and a securing piece (22); a radiator (17) attached to the front cross member (18); a motor case (12) and an engine (11) connected to the vehicular skeleton member via an engine mount; an axle (25) extending from the motor case (12); and a PCU (13) connected to the motor case (12) via a guide plate (19) and a linkage bolt. Thus, there is provided a vehicular instrument-mounting structure capable of inhibiting collision of a power control device or other vehicle-mounted instrument with another member, and inhibiting damage caused to the power control device or other vehicle-mounted instrument during a vehicle collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Hotta, Kenshi Yamanaka, Yutaka Hotta
  • Patent number: 9210829
    Abstract: A PCU (20) comprises an anchoring pedestal (22) that is attached to the opening of a transaxle and that has been molded from resin so as to be formed integrally with a terminal block (21); a cooler (27) that is disposed on top of the anchoring pedestal (22) and that has a power module; a heat-conductive board stay (14) connected to the top of the cooler (27); and a control board (29) connected to the top of the board stay (14). This mounting structure is configured such that by disposing the board stay (14) near a cooling tube (17a) for introducing coolant cooled by a radiator and by attaching the stay to the cooler (27) via a heat-dissipating sheet (61a) for actively conducting heat from the control board, the control board (29) is cooled by the coolant before the coolant has absorbed heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hotta, Tatsuyuki Uechi
  • Patent number: 9203103
    Abstract: A fuel cell has a plurality of constituent members that constitute the fuel cell. The constituent members have first positioning portions and a second positioning portion that is provided on an outer peripheral portion, which are used for positioning during stacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomokazu Hayashi, Yutaka Hotta, Junichi Shirahama
  • Patent number: 9172100
    Abstract: A fuel cell system to be mounted on an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. Cooling water is supplied from a cooling water inlet of a stack manifold, flows through a fuel cell stack, and returns to the stack manifold. A groove is formed on the rear surface side of the stack manifold, constituting, together with a terminal, a cooling water channel. The cooling water flows through the cooling water channel, and is discharged to the outside from a cooling water outlet. The cooling water channel is formed extending from the rear side to the front side of the vehicle, and warms an end plate. A pipe length of the cooling water channel to a radiator mounted in a front part of the vehicle is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutaka Hotta, Michitaro Itoga, Makoto Takeyama
  • Publication number: 20150251531
    Abstract: The overall outer shape of a vehicle drive device including an inverter device is reduced in size. An input member and a rotating electrical machine are arranged side by side on a first axis, and a differential gear unit is placed on a second axis. An inverter device is located so as to overlap the differential gear unit as viewed in a radial direction, and is located between a second reference line that extends perpendicularly to a first reference line passing through the first axis and the second axis and that passes through the first axis and a third reference line that extends perpendicularly to the first reference line and that passes the second axis, as viewed in an axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Yutaka Hotta, Tatsuyuki Uechi, Hiromichi Agata, Kazuo Aoki, Tatsuya Kondo, Manabu Miyazawa
  • Publication number: 20150245534
    Abstract: Flux concentration cores that encircle bus bars are arranged at different heights. When viewed from an extending direction (a Z-direction) of the bus bars, the first flux concentration core and the second flux concentration core that are adjacent to one another partially overlap each other, and the second flux concentration core and the third flux concentration core that are adjacent to each other partially overlap each other. Therefore, the flux concentration cores are able to be arranged around the bus bars even when the spaces between the bus bars are narrow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke SEO, Yutaka HOTTA
  • Publication number: 20150111116
    Abstract: A fuel cell system according to the present invention comprises a fuel gas supply system that supplies a fuel gas from a fuel supply source to a fuel cell that includes a stack including a plurality of cells, and a fuel off-gas circulation system that resupplies fuel off-gas to the stack. The fuel off-gas circulation system includes: a mixed fuel gas flow path formed such that a mixed fuel gas containing the fuel off-gas and the fuel gas flows in a direction along an inner surface of a manifold installed in the stack; and a point of merger where the fuel off-gas and the fuel gas merge with each other to produce the mixed fuel gas, the point of merger being arranged on one surface side of the manifold. With such configuration, the heat exchange efficiency of the fuel off-gas and the fuel gas can be increased, and ice resulting from water in the fuel off-gas can be prevented from flowing into the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutaka Hotta, Michitaro Itoga
  • Patent number: 8875825
    Abstract: A power control unit that controls a rotary electric machine that drives a vehicle, and that is mounted onto a motor case in which the rotary electric machine is housed, includes a fixed base that is made of resin; a cooler that is arranged on the fixed base and that includes a power module; and a control substrate that is arranged on the cooler. The fixed base inhibits conduction of heat from the motor case to the power control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Asakura, Yutaka Hotta, Tatsuyuki Uechi
  • Patent number: 8829669
    Abstract: A semiconductor device configured to enable efficient cooling of an element and downsizing of the device. The semiconductor device including an element unit connected to a surface of a cooler. A support member that has a condenser housing chamber that houses the condenser. The condenser has two parallel planar surfaces that are parallel with each other. The condenser housing chamber has a parallel opposing surface that is arranged in parallel with the element unit arrangement surface and faces the element unit arrangement surface, and houses the condenser in a state where the two parallel planar surfaces are arranged in parallel with the parallel opposing surface. The support member is fixed to the cooler in a state where the parallel opposing surface presses the element unit toward the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Hotta, Tatsuyuki Uechi
  • Patent number: 8811050
    Abstract: A relay-connecting member (16) has relay terminals (32), each of which is fit-connected to an output electrode (28) and a male tab (30) of an output terminal (14). With this structure, by simply inserting the output electrode (28) and the male tab (30) of the output terminal (14) into the relay-connecting member (16), it is possible to easily electrically connect the output electrode (28) and the male tab (30) of the output terminal (14) through the relay terminal (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Kohshin Electric Corp., Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Sytems, Ltd
    Inventors: Yutaka Hotta, Shiro Nishida, Yuki Higashimori
  • Publication number: 20140084719
    Abstract: A power control unit that controls a rotary electric machine that drives a vehicle, and that is mounted onto a motor case in which the rotary electric machine is housed, includes a fixed base that is made of resin; a cooler that is arranged on the fixed base and that includes a power module; and a control substrate that is arranged on the cooler. The fixed base inhibits conduction of heat from the motor case to the power control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Asakura, Yutaka Hotta, Tatsuyuki Uechi
  • Patent number: 8643235
    Abstract: A drive device for a vehicle includes a motor generator generating drive force, and a power control unit provided integrally with the motor generator for controlling the motor generator. The includes a low-voltage circuit section to which a relatively low voltage is applied, a high-voltage circuit section which is located at a rear side of the vehicle relative to the low-voltage circuit section and to which a relatively high voltage is applied, and a cooling plate located between the low-voltage circuit section and the high-voltage circuit section in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle for cooling the high-voltage circuit section. With such configuration, the drive device for a vehicle allows the power control unit to be protected appropriately against an externally imposed shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Omiya, Masaki Yoshino, Yutaka Hotta
  • Publication number: 20130307330
    Abstract: A vehicle equipment mounting structure that arranges a motor case, in which a rotary electric machine that drives a vehicle is housed, in an engine compartment, and that includes a PCU that controls the rotary electric machine, and an auxiliary battery that supplies electric power to the PCU. This structure includes a fixing portion that fixes the PCU onto the motor case, and a connecting portion that connects the auxiliary battery to a side member that absorbs an impact load by being crushed in a crushing direction. The connecting portion has a displaceable member that is displaceable in the crushing direction. The auxiliary battery is arranged on a vehicle front side of the PCU such that the PCU and the auxiliary battery partially overlap in the crushing direction. The auxiliary battery is arranged so as to be able to move past the PCU in response to an impact load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Hotta, Kenshi Yamanaka, Yutaka Hotta
  • Publication number: 20130301220
    Abstract: A PCU (20) comprises an anchoring pedestal (22) that is attached to the opening of a transaxle and that has been molded from resin so as to be formed integrally with a terminal block (21); a cooler (27) that is disposed on top of the anchoring pedestal (22) and that has a power module; a heat-conductive board stay (14) connected to the top of the cooler (27); and a control board (29) connected to the top of the board stay (14). This mounting structure is configured such that by disposing the board stay (14) near a cooling tube (17a) for introducing coolant cooled by a radiator and by attaching the stay to the cooler (27) via a heat-dissipating sheet (61a) for actively conducting heat from the control board, the control board (29) is cooled by the coolant before the coolant has absorbed heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutaka Hotta, Tatsuyuki Uechi
  • Publication number: 20130277820
    Abstract: A semiconductor device configured to enable efficient cooling of an element and downsizing of the device. The semiconductor device including an element unit connected to a surface of a cooler. A support member that has a condenser housing chamber that houses the condenser. The condenser has two parallel planar surfaces that are parallel with each other. The condenser housing chamber has a parallel opposing surface that is arranged in parallel with the element unit arrangement surface and faces the element unit arrangement surface, and houses the condenser in a state where the two parallel planar surfaces are arranged in parallel with the parallel opposing surface. The support member is fixed to the cooler in a state where the parallel opposing surface presses the element unit toward the cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hotta, Tatsuyuki Uechi
  • Publication number: 20130270862
    Abstract: The present invention comprises side members (15), which are vehicular skeleton members of a hybrid vehicle (10); a front cross member (18) for connecting the two side members (15); spring supports (16) connected to the side members (15); an auxiliary battery arranged further towards the vehicle front relative to a PCU (13) and attached to the front cross member (18) via a support platform (23) and a securing piece (22); a radiator (17) attached to the front cross member (18); a motor case (12) and an engine (11) connected to the vehicular skeleton member via an engine mount; an axle (25) extending from the motor case (12); and a PCU (13) connected to the motor case (12) via a guide plate (19) and a linkage bolt. Thus, there is provided a vehicular instrument-mounting structure capable of inhibiting collision of a power control device or other vehicle-mounted instrument with another member, and inhibiting damage caused to the power control device or other vehicle-mounted instrument during a vehicle collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Hotta, Kenshi Yamanaka, Yutaka Hotta
  • Patent number: 8518591
    Abstract: A terminal device for cell voltage measurement of a fuel cell having a plurality of cells includes a plurality of terminals, a support member and a fixing member. The plurality of terminals each includes a conductive columnar part, and are electrically connected to the cells by the columnar part of each of the terminals being in contact with a conductive terminal contact part of a different cell of the fuel cell. The support member supports the terminals so that center axes of the columnar parts of the terminals are parallel to each other, and so that the center axes are aligned in one row at fixed intervals. The fixing member supports the support member so as to be able to rotate around a specified rotation shaft that is parallel to the center axes, and is attached to the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yutaka Hotta
  • Publication number: 20130056291
    Abstract: A fuel cell system for a vehicle is provided which can be efficiently arranged under the vehicle floor. The fuel cell system for a vehicle according to the invention comprises, under the vehicle floor: a fuel cell which is supplied with an oxidant gas and a fuel gas and which generates electric power through an electrochemical reaction; an auxiliary device related to the operation of the fuel cell; and a converter that converts electric power generated by the fuel cell, wherein the fuel cell, the auxiliary device and the converter are arranged serially in a front-back direction of the vehicle and the auxiliary device is arranged so as to be adjacent to the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yutaka Hotta
  • Publication number: 20130017470
    Abstract: A fuel cell system to be mounted on an electric vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. Cooling water is supplied from a cooling water inlet of a stack manifold, flows through a fuel cell stack, and returns to the stack manifold. A groove is formed on the rear surface side of the stack manifold, constituting, together with a terminal, a cooling water channel. The cooling water flows through the cooling water channel, and is discharged to the outside from a cooling water outlet. The cooling water channel is formed extending from the rear side to the front side of the vehicle, and warms an end plate. A pipe length of the cooling water channel to a radiator mounted in a front part of the vehicle is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutaka HOTTA, Michitaro ITOGA, Makoto TAKEYAMA