NOK Corporation Receives Japan Patent Attorneys Association President's Award for Hybrid Vehicle Battery Pressure Regulating Valve

NOK Corporation (Headquarters: Shibadaimon, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, Group Chief Executive Officer: Masao Tsuru; hereinafter referred to as "NOK") has received the Japan Patent Attorneys Association President's Award for the first time at the FY2024 Kanto Regional Invention Awards, organized by the Japan Institute for Invention and Innovation. NOK received the award for their pressure regulating valve for nickel-metal hydride batteries, which adjusts the internal pressure of hybrid vehicle batteries. Alongside this award, Masao Tsuru, Group CEO of NOK, was awarded the Implementation Achievement Award as the company's representative responsible for this invention.
At the same event, NOK also received the Invention Encouragement Award for the hollow fiber membrane module for fuel cell vehicles, the static sealing member for mechanical seals, and the manufacturing method for seal products at the FY2024 Kanto Regional Invention Awards. Furthermore, the gasket for Power Control Units(PCUs) in electric vehicles received the Invention Encouragement Award at the FY2024 Kyushu Regional Invention Awards for the first time.

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NOK received the Japan Patent Attorneys Association President's Award for its pressure regulating valve for nickel-metal hydride batteries in hybrid vehicles. This valve reduces variations in opening pressure, streamlining battery structure and lowering battery weight, ultimately enhancing vehicle performance.

Award List

Details of the Invention

FY2024 Kanto Regional Invention Awards: Japan Patent Attorneys Association President's Award

Pressure Regulating Valve for Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries (Patent No. JP7407335)

Inventors: Katsuyoshi Sakuma (Design Department, AI Design Section, Plastics & Polyurethane Division) ,
Yusei Shinchi (Mass Production Design Section 1, Development Planning Department, Precision Moldings & O-Rings Division)

This invention is a valve that releases gases generated by over-discharge and overcharge in nickel-metal hydride batteries, adjusting the internal pressure of the battery. A distinctive feature of this invention is the new structure in which a pin is added to the valve cover, creating a groove, and the rubber is pressed and thinned (as shown in Fig. 1). This groove prevents an increase in opening pressure caused by rubber compression, and by thinning the rubber, the load variations due to compression fluctuations are reduced. As a result, compared to conventional pressure regulating valves that rely on rubber compression to ensure opening performance, this invention maintains discharge performance while reducing variations in opening performance.

As the representative of the company that implemented this invention, NOK's Representative Director and Group Chief Executive Officer Masao Tsuru, was awarded the Implementation Achievement Award.

FY2024 Kanto Regional Invention Awards: Invention Encouragement Award

Hollow Fiber Membrane module for Fuel Cell Vehicles (Patent No.JP 6252281)

This invention relates to a manufacturing method for hollow fiber membrane module modules used as humidifiers in fuel cells. In this manufacturing method, the seal between the module’s sealing part and the case is fully enclosed, improving the sealing performance compared to conventional methods. Additionally, a wider range of materials can be selected for the case, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Static sealing Member for Mechanical Seals (Patent No. JP6856760)

This invention is a rubber material for mechanical seals (bellows) used in devices such as water pumps that circulate engine coolant. The mechanical seals using this material are designed to seal antifreeze solutions, such as ethylene glycol-based long-life coolant (LLC) and require both LLC resistance and a balance of cold and heat resistance. Through advanced rubber compounding technology, this material offers excellent properties in compression set resistance, cold resistance, processability, and hardness, maintaining its performance even after being immersed in a 30% LLC solution at 150°C for 300 hours.

Manufacturing Method for Seal Products (Patent No. JP5099352)

This invention is a manufacturing method for integrated gaskets for fuel cell separators (NOK product name: CELLSEAL). In the CELLSEAL manufacturing process, the separator is placed into a mold, and rubber is injected. This method uses a specially designed mold that allows excess rubber to be expelled externally, preventing the formation of rubber flash on the separator surface.

1. Note:CELLSEAL is a registered trademark of NOK (Trademark Registration No. 4940927).

FY2024 Kyushu Regional Invention Awards: Invention Encouragement Award

Gasket for PCUs in Electric Vehicles (Patent No. JP5932940)

This invention is a gasket used in the power control units (PCUs) installed in electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles. By designing the cross-section in a specialized shape, this gasket can seal the cooling water for the DC/DC converter inside the PCU without affecting the lightweight and flexible aluminum or plastic casing of the PCU.

The NOK Group is dedicated to "Essential Core Manufacturing — the production of pivotal products that shape society." Through its unique technologies and products, NOK supports social safety and comfort while striving for sustainable growth. Research and development activities, which are at the core of NOK Group's technologies, are mainly driven by NOK Group R&D at the Shonan R&D Center (Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture), holding a total of 4,538 patents domestically and internationally (as of the end of FY2023).

About the Regional Invention Awards

Established in 1921 by the Japan Institute for Invention and Innovation (JIII), the Regional Invention Awards honor engineers and researchers who have created outstanding inventions, designs, or innovations. Divided into eight regions across Japan, the awards aim to promote and cultivate local inventions, advance science and technology, and contribute to the growth of regional industries.

Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (JIII) URL: https://koueki.jiii.or.jp/