Patents by Inventor Chiaki Tanuma

Chiaki Tanuma 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: 11097530
    Abstract: The three-dimensional modeling device includes a three-dimensional data acquisition unit that acquires three-dimensional data representing a three-dimensional structure with voxels, a discharge mechanism that discharges a laminated material including a plurality of kinds of dyes, and a control unit that controls the discharge mechanism based on the three-dimensional data so as to model the three-dimensional model. One of the voxels is divided into a plurality of elements in each of intersecting three directions, each of the plurality of the elements is provided with color data corresponding to one of a plurality of colors, and the color data of the element is determined such that all of a plurality of surfaces of the voxel has an approximately identical color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignees: Mutoh Industries Ltd., Hosei University
    Inventors: Takashi Touma, Chiaki Tanuma
  • Publication number: 20200156363
    Abstract: The three-dimensional modeling device includes a three-dimensional data acquisition unit that acquires three-dimensional data representing a three-dimensional structure with voxels, a discharge mechanism that discharges a laminated material including a plurality of kinds of dyes, and a control unit that controls the discharge mechanism based on the three-dimensional data so as to model the three-dimensional model. One of the voxels is divided into a plurality of elements in each of intersecting three directions, each of the plurality of the elements is provided with color data corresponding to one of a plurality of colors, and the color data of the element is determined such that all of a plurality of surfaces of the voxel has an approximately identical color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Takashi TOUMA, Chiaki TANUMA
  • Patent number: 9415593
    Abstract: An ink jet head includes: a vibration plates having a plurality of openings of a first diameter; ink pressure chambers, each arranged on one surface of the corresponding vibration plate; first electrodes, each formed on the other surface of the vibration plate; a plurality of piezoelectric layers, each portion of which is formed on a first electrode such that it surrounds the opening and that, when a driving voltage is applied, deforms the vibration plate to expand or contract the ink pressure chamber; second electrodes formed on each piezoelectric layer; a protective layer which is at least formed on the vibration plate and the second electrode and has a nozzle for ejecting the ink having a diameter smaller than the first diameter extending therethrough and through the opening; and an ink-feeding mechanism that feeds the ink into the ink pressure chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei Yokoyama, Ryutaro Kusunoki, Chiaki Tanuma, Ryuichi Arai
  • Publication number: 20150298458
    Abstract: An ink jet head includes: a vibration plates having a plurality of openings of a first diameter; ink pressure chambers, each arranged on one surface of the corresponding vibration plate; first electrodes, each formed on the other surface of the vibration plate; a plurality of piezoelectric layers, each portion of which is formed on a first electrode such that it surrounds the opening and that, when a driving voltage is applied, deforms the vibration plate to expand or contract the ink pressure chamber; second electrodes formed on each piezoelectric layer; a protective layer which is at least formed on the vibration plate and the second electrode and has a nozzle for ejecting the ink having a diameter smaller than the first diameter extending therethrough and through the opening; and an ink-feeding mechanism that feeds the ink into the ink pressure chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Shuhei YOKOYAMA, Ryutaro KUSUNOKI, Chiaki TANUMA, Ryuichi ARAI
  • Patent number: 9150008
    Abstract: An ink jet head includes: a vibration plates having a plurality of openings of a first diameter; ink pressure chambers, each arranged on one surface of the corresponding vibration plate; first electrodes, each formed on the other surface of the vibration plate; a plurality of piezoelectric layers, each portion of which is formed on a first electrode such that it surrounds the opening and that, when a driving voltage is applied, deforms the vibration plate to expand or contract the ink pressure chamber; second electrodes formed on each piezoelectric layer; a protective layer which is at least formed on the vibration plate and the second electrode and has a nozzle for ejecting the ink having a diameter smaller than the first diameter extending therethrough and through the opening; and an ink-feeding mechanism that feeds the ink into the ink pressure chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuhei Yokoyama, Ryutaro Kusunoki, Chiaki Tanuma, Ryuichi Arai
  • Patent number: 9138999
    Abstract: An ink jet head according to an embodiment comprises a substrate including amounting surface and a pressure chamber open to the mounting surface, the substrate having a first expansion coefficient. The ink jet head further comprises a vibration plate including a first surface fixed to the mounting surface of the substrate, a second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface, an opening portion open to the pressure chamber, a first portion having a second expansion coefficient different from the first expansion coefficient, and a second portion having a third expansion coefficient different from the second expansion coefficient. The ink jet head further comprises a piezoelectric element provided on the second surface of the vibration plate and configured to deform the vibration plate to thereby change a volume of the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuichi Arai, Chiaki Tanuma, Ryutaro Kusunoki, Shuhei Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9102154
    Abstract: An ink jet head includes a pressure chamber formed to hold ink, a vibrating plate, a driving element, and a protective film covering the driving element. The vibrating plate is provided at one end of the pressure chamber, and has a first opening through which the ink held in the pressure chamber is discharged. The driving element is provided on a surface of the vibrating plate and is configured to cause a volume of the pressure chamber to be changed by deforming the vibrating plate upon application of voltage to the driving element. The protective film has a second opening aligned with the first opening and through which the ink held in the pressure chamber is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuhei Yokoyama, Ryutaro Kusunoki, Ryuichi Arai, Chiaki Tanuma
  • Patent number: 9079400
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ink jet head includes an ink pressure chamber, a nozzle hole, a vibrating plate, an actuator, and electrodes. The ink pressure chamber stores ink which is discharged through the nozzle hole. The vibrating plate is formed to surround the nozzle hole. The actuator drives the vibrating plate. The electrodes are formed to be axially symmetrical with respect to the nozzle hole and drive the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryutaro Kusunoki, Chiaki Tanuma, Shuhei Yokoyama, Ryuichi Arai
  • Patent number: 9073319
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inkjet head includes a substrate, a nozzle plate, and an actuator incorporated in the nozzle plate. The nozzle plate includes a nozzle provided to communicate with an ink pressure chamber, and a vibrating plate exposed to the ink pressure chamber. The actuator displaces the vibrating plate in the thickness direction to pressurize ink in the ink pressure chamber via the vibrating plate and eject the ink from the nozzle. The ink pressure chamber has a first dimension in the thickness direction of the substrate and a second dimension in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the substrate. The first dimension is larger than the second dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryutaro Kusunoki, Chiaki Tanuma, Shuhei Yokoyama, Ryuichi Arai
  • Patent number: 9050798
    Abstract: According to embodiments, a manufacturing method for an ink-jet head is disclosed. The method comprises forming an ink pressure chamber, forming an oscillating plate, and forming, on the oscillating plate, a first electrode having a predetermined footprint. The method further comprises forming, on the oscillating plate and on the first electrode, a piezoelectric film having a footprint that is geometrically similar to the predetermined footprint, forming, on the oscillating plate and the piezoelectric film, a second electrode having a footprint that is geometrically similar to the predetermined footprint, and forming a nozzle in the oscillating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuhei Yokoyama, Ryutaro Kusunoki, Chiaki Tanuma, Ryuichi Arai
  • Patent number: 8967775
    Abstract: An ink jet head includes a substrate including a mounting surface and a pressure chamber open to the mounting surface. The ink jet head further includes a nozzle plate including an inner surface fixed to the mounting surface and covering the pressure chamber, a nozzle open to the pressure chamber, and a piezoelectric element surrounding the nozzle and configured to deform to thereby change a volume of the pressure chamber. The ink jet head further includes a deformation control unit disposed on and extending from the inner surface of the nozzle plate and surrounding the nozzle, the deformation control unit configured to cause deformation of the piezoelectric element to be substantially symmetric with respect to the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuichi Arai, Chiaki Tanuma, Ryutaro Kusunoki, Shuhei Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8944573
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an inkjet head includes a nozzle from which ink is ejected, an ink pressure chamber, an oscillating plate, a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer, a second electrode, and a passivation layer. The ink pressure chamber is provided in the inkjet head to supply ink to the nozzle. The oscillating plate is formed to surround the nozzle. The first electrode is formed to surround the nozzle and to be in contact with the first oscillating plate. The piezoelectric layer is configured to surround the nozzle and to be in contact with the first electrode. The second electrode is formed to surround the nozzle and to be in contact with the piezoelectric layer. The passivation layer is formed to surround the nozzle and to be in contact with the first electrode, the second electrode, or the first oscillating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuhei Yokoyama, Ryutaro Kusunoki, Chiaki Tanuma, Ryuichi Arai
  • Patent number: 8876262
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inkjet head includes actuators configured to pressurize ink. The actuators include piezoelectric elements provided on an insulating layer, first electrodes electrically connected to the piezoelectric elements, and second electrodes connected to the piezoelectric elements and configured to hold the piezoelectric elements in cooperation with the first electrodes. The first electrodes of all the actuators are electrically connected to a common first energization pattern. The second electrodes of all the actuators are individually electrically connected to second energization patterns. The first energization pattern and the second energization patterns are separated from each other without overlapping each other on the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuichi Arai, Chiaki Tanuma, Ryutaro Kusunoki, Shuhei Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20140320569
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inkjet head includes a substrate, a nozzle plate, and an actuator incorporated in the nozzle plate. The nozzle plate includes a nozzle provided to communicate with an ink pressure chamber, and a vibrating plate exposed to the ink pressure chamber. The actuator displaces the vibrating plate in the thickness direction to pressurize ink in the ink pressure chamber via the vibrating plate and eject the ink from the nozzle. The ink pressure chamber has a first dimension in the thickness direction of the substrate and a second dimension in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the substrate. The first dimension is larger than the second dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Ryutaro Kusunoki, Chiaki Tanuma, Shuhei Yokoyama, Ryuichi Arai
  • Publication number: 20140267498
    Abstract: An ink jet head includes a pressure chamber formed to hold ink, a vibrating plate, a driving element, and a protective film covering the driving element. The vibrating plate is provided at one end of the pressure chamber, and has a first opening through which the ink held in the pressure chamber is discharged. The driving element is provided on a surface of the vibrating plate and is configured to cause a volume of the pressure chamber to be changed by deforming the vibrating plate upon application of voltage to the driving element. The protective film has a second opening aligned with the first opening and through which the ink held in the pressure chamber is discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei YOKOYAMA, Ryutaro KUSUNOKI, Ryuichi ARAI, Chiaki TANUMA
  • Patent number: 8801147
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inkjet head includes a substrate, a nozzle plate, and an actuator incorporated in the nozzle plate. The nozzle plate includes a nozzle provided to communicate with an ink pressure chamber, and a vibrating plate exposed to the ink pressure chamber. The actuator displaces the vibrating plate in the thickness direction to pressurize ink in the ink pressure chamber via the vibrating plate and eject the ink from the nozzle. The ink pressure chamber has a first dimension in the thickness direction of the substrate and a second dimension in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the substrate. The first dimension is larger than the second dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryutaro Kusunoki, Chiaki Tanuma, Shuhei Yokoyama, Ryuichi Arai
  • Patent number: 8746857
    Abstract: An inkjet recording head of an embodiment includes: an elastic film provided to form a part of a pressure-generating chamber connected to a nozzle opening; and a piezoelectric film-laminated part, an end thereof being fixed to the elastic film, a central part thereof facing the elastic film having an air gap in-between, the piezoelectric film-laminated part including a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film, and an upper electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Kazuhiko Itaya, Chiaki Tanuma
  • Publication number: 20140071204
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ink jet head includes an ink pressure chamber, a nozzle hole, a vibrating plate, an actuator, and electrodes. The ink pressure chamber stores ink which is discharged through the nozzle hole. The vibrating plate is formed to surround the nozzle hole. The actuator drives the vibrating plate. The electrodes are formed to be axially symmetrical with respect to the nozzle hole and drive the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryutaro KUSUNOKI, Chiaki TANUMA, Shuhei YOKOYAMA, Ryuichi ARAI
  • Publication number: 20140063130
    Abstract: An ink jet head according to an embodiment comprises a substrate including amounting surface and a pressure chamber open to the mounting surface, the substrate having a first expansion coefficient. The ink jet head further comprises a vibration plate including a first surface fixed to the mounting surface of the substrate, a second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface, an opening portion open to the pressure chamber, a first portion having a second expansion coefficient different from the first expansion coefficient, and a second portion having a third expansion coefficient different from the second expansion coefficient. The ink jet head further comprises a piezoelectric element provided on the second surface of the vibration plate and configured to deform the vibration plate to thereby change a volume of the pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuichi ARAI, Chiaki TANUMA, Ryutaro KUSUNOKI, Shuhei YOKOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140063095
    Abstract: An ink jet head according to an embodiment comprises a substrate including a mounting surface and a pressure chamber, a vibration plate including a first surface fixed to the mounting surface and covering the pressure chamber, and a second surface opposite the first surface. The ink jet head further comprises a first electrode on the second surface, a piezoelectric body overlapping the first electrode, a second electrode overlapping the piezoelectric body, and a protective film provided on the second surface. The inkjet head further comprises a nozzle in communication with the pressure chamber and configured to discharge ink, and a drive circuit provided on the mounting surface of the substrate and configured to apply a drive voltage to the first electrode or the second electrode to deform the piezoelectric body and to change a volume of the pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuhei Yokoyama, Chiaki Tanuma, Ryuichi Arai, Ryutaro Kusunoki