Patents by Inventor Keisuke Oba

Keisuke Oba 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: 20240142899
    Abstract: The intermediate transfer unit includes: an endless intermediate transfer belt which is turned around while carrying a toner image on its outer circumferential surface; and a plurality of rollers on which the intermediate transfer belt is turnably stretched, wherein the intermediate transfer belt has, on its inner circumferential surface, an information recording area in which belt information has been recorded, and the intermediate transfer belt has a mark at a position in the outer circumferential surface where a positional relationship between the mark and the information recording area comes to a specified relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Keisuke OBA, Koji UNO, Yasuhiro MICHISHITA
  • Patent number: 11926217
    Abstract: A pendulum type mount system includes a pair of upper mounts that mount upper portions of a powerplant unit on a vehicle body, and a pair of first and second lower torque rods. The first and second lower torque rods are located on opposite sides to each other with respect to a reference plane including a gravity center of the powerplant unit. A first spring constant of the first lower torque rod is not smaller than a second spring constant of the second lower torque rod. A distance between a first plane including the first lower torque rod and the reference plane is not larger than a distance between a second plane including the second lower torque rod and the reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Yokawa, Keisuke Oba
  • Publication number: 20240034143
    Abstract: A pendulum type mount system includes a pair of upper mounts that mount upper portions of a powerplant unit on a vehicle body, and a pair of first and second lower torque rods. The first and second lower torque rods are located on opposite sides to each other with respect to a reference plane including a gravity center of the powerplant unit. A first spring constant of the first lower torque rod is not smaller than a second spring constant of the second lower torque rod. A distance between a first plane including the first lower torque rod and the reference plane is not larger than a distance between a second plane including the second lower torque rod and the reference plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Yokawa, Keisuke Oba
  • Patent number: 11868060
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing current detecting portion, a control portion, and a deviation detecting portion. The developing current detecting portion detects a developing current that flows between a developing device and a photoconductor drum during development of an electrostatic latent image. The control portion causes the exposure device to form electrostatic latent images of at least two patch images at different positions from each other and at different timings from each other in a main scanning direction. The deviation detecting portion detects deviation of one of the exposure device and the photoconductor drum with respect to the other based on a detection timing at which the developing current is detected during development of the electrostatic latent images of the at least two patch images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masaru Watanabe, Kanako Kikuchi, Yasuaki Sakamoto, Ayato Morikami, Yuki Nakaiwa, Keisuke Oba, Koji Uno, Takuji Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20230418191
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary transfer roller, a first belt support roller, a secondary transfer roller, a second belt support roller, a current output portion, a current sensing portion, and a control portion. The current output portion passes across the secondary transfer roller a secondary transfer current as part of an output current. The current output portion and the second belt support roller are electrically connected together. The current sensing portion senses a leakage current passing from the first belt support roller via the intermediate transfer belt to the second belt support roller. The control portion sets the output current such that the secondary transfer current has a value given by subtracting a leakage current from the output current and keeps the voltage on the second belt support roller between ?50 V and 50 V, inclusive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Koji UNO, Keisuke OBA, Yasuhiro MICHISHITA
  • Publication number: 20230418205
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary transfer roller, a first belt support roller, a secondary transfer roller, a second belt support roller, a current feeder, a controller, a current sensor, and a rectifier. The current sensor has a lead member. The rectifier shuts off a current passing from the second belt support roller to the ground if the voltage on the second belt support roller is less than a predetermined reference voltage. The controller controls the output current such that the secondary transfer current has a current value resulting from subtracting a leak current from the output current and, when the lead member is in a conducting state, keeps the voltage on the second belt support roller less than the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Koji UNO, Keisuke OBA, Yasuhiro MICHISHITA
  • Publication number: 20230408947
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming portions, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary transfer member, a secondary transfer roller, a counter roller, and a charge eliminating device. The counter roller is pressed against the secondary transfer roller via an intermediate transfer belt to thereby form a secondary transfer nip portion. The charge eliminating device includes a charge eliminating needle that is disposed with an end part thereof pointing to a downstream side in a conveyance direction of the recording medium, and that is grounded, and a charge eliminating needle protection cover that has a guide surface that is opposed to the recording medium having passed through the secondary transfer nip portion. The guide surface is formed of a conductive material having a resistance value of 106? or lower, and is in a floating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro MICHISHITA, Keisuke OBA, Koji UNO
  • Publication number: 20230408948
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming portions, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary transfer member, a secondary transfer roller, a counter roller, and a charge eliminating device. The counter roller is pressed against the secondary transfer roller via an intermediate transfer belt to thereby form a secondary transfer nip portion. The charge eliminating device includes a charge eliminating needle that is disposed with an end part thereof pointing to a downstream side in a conveyance direction of the recording medium, and that is grounded, and a charge eliminating needle protection cover that has a guide surface that is opposed to the recording medium having passed through the secondary transfer nip portion, and that maintains a constant interval between the recording medium and the charge eliminating needle, and eliminates residual charge on the recording medium having passed through the secondary transfer nip portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro MICHISHITA, Keisuke OBA, Koji UNO
  • Patent number: 11849094
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a first acquisition processing portion, a second acquisition processing portion, and an adjustment processing portion. The image forming portion forms an image on a sheet. The first acquisition processing portion acquires a captured image of the sheet. The second acquisition processing portion acquires a specific value that indicates a difference between a gradation value of a pixel that, among pixels included in the captured image acquired by the first acquisition processing portion, corresponds to a higher part of an outer surface of the sheet, and a gradation value of a pixel that, among the pixels included in the captured image, corresponds to a lower part that is lower than the higher part. The adjustment processing portion adjusts an image forming condition of the image forming portion based on the specific value acquired by the second acquisition processing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Kanako Kikuchi, Akihiro Kondo, Keisuke Oba
  • Patent number: 11815839
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer processing portion, a detection processing portion, a correction processing portion, and an adjustment processing portion. The transfer processing portion transfers a detection toner image to outside an output area of a transfer object to which a toner image as an output target is transferred from an image-carrying member. The detection processing portion detects a density of the detection toner image that has been transferred to the transfer object by the transfer processing portion. The correction processing portion corrects a detection result of the detection processing portion based on an amount of toner transferred from the image-carrying member to the output area at a transfer timing when the detection toner image is transferred. The adjustment processing portion adjusts an image forming condition based on the detection result after correction by the correction processing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Keisuke Oba, Masaru Watanabe, Yasuaki Sakamoto, Kanako Kikuchi, Ayato Morikami, Yuki Nakaiwa, Koji Uno, Takuji Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20230213880
    Abstract: A processor causes a printing portion to execute, when first conveying processing is executed, test print processing for executing processing of forming a plurality of test toner images on a sheet under a print condition that differs for each of the plurality of test toner images. The processor acquires a plurality of first sensing densities when the first conveying processing is executed. The processor causes the printing portion to execute the test print processing when second conveying processing is executed. The processor acquires a plurality of second sensing densities when the second conveying processing is executed. The processor compares the plurality of first sensing densities and the plurality of second sensing densities to adjust the print condition in the print processing when the second conveying processing is executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Masaru Watanabe, Kanako Kikuchi, Yasuaki Sakamoto, Ayato Morikami, Yuki Nakaiwa, Keisuke Oba, Koji Uno, Takuji Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20230080093
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transfer processing portion, a detection processing portion, a correction processing portion, and an adjustment processing portion. The transfer processing portion transfers a detection toner image to outside an output area of a transfer object to which a toner image as an output target is transferred from an image-carrying member. The detection processing portion detects a density of the detection toner image that has been transferred to the transfer object by the transfer processing portion. The correction processing portion corrects a detection result of the detection processing portion based on an amount of toner transferred from the image-carrying member to the output area at a transfer timing when the detection toner image is transferred. The adjustment processing portion adjusts an image forming condition based on the detection result after correction by the correction processing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Keisuke Oba, Masaru Watanabe, Yasuaki Sakamoto, Kanako Kikuchi, Ayato Morikami, Yuki Nakaiwa, Koji Uno, Takuji Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20230051298
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing current detecting portion, a control portion, and a deviation detecting portion. The developing current detecting portion detects a developing current that flows between a developing device and a photoconductor drum during development of an electrostatic latent image. The control portion causes the exposure device to form electrostatic latent images of at least two patch images at different positions from each other and at different timings from each other in a main scanning direction. The deviation detecting portion detects deviation of one of the exposure device and the photoconductor drum with respect to the other based on a detection timing at which the developing current is detected during development of the electrostatic latent images of the at least two patch images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Masaru Watanabe, Kanako Kikuchi, Yasuaki Sakamoto, Ayato Morikami, Yuki Nakaiwa, Keisuke Oba, Koji Uno, Takuji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9829835
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes a plurality of image forming portions, an intermediate transfer unit, a secondary transfer member, a belt cleaning device, and a control portion. The intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer belt, a plurality of primary transfer members, a drive roller, a tension roller, and a contacting/separating mechanism. The belt cleaning device includes a cleaning member which faces the tension roller with the intermediate transfer belt therebetween. In a withdrawal mode, the cleaning member is moved by pressing force of the tension roller further into a housing from an opening portion as compared with in a printing mode. The control portion is capable of executing, while image formation is not being performed, a transfer toner collection mode in which the intermediate transfer belt and the belt cleaning device are driven in the withdrawal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Keisuke Oba, Satoshi Uemura, Kenji Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20170227894
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present disclosure includes a plurality of image forming portions, an intermediate transfer unit, a secondary transfer member, a belt cleaning device, and a control portion. The intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer belt, a plurality of primary transfer members, a drive roller, a tension roller, and a contacting/separating mechanism. The belt cleaning device includes a cleaning member which faces the tension roller with the intermediate transfer belt therebetween. In a withdrawal mode, the cleaning member is moved by pressing force of the tension roller further into a housing from an opening portion as compared with in a printing mode. The control portion is capable of executing, while image formation is not being performed, a transfer toner collection mode in which the intermediate transfer belt and the belt cleaning device are driven in the withdrawal mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Keisuke OBA, Satoshi UEMURA, Kenji MIYAMOTO
  • Patent number: 9377745
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a rotating brush, a collecting roller, a cleaning blade, a sealing member and a side sealing member. The sealing member has an extension part extending outside from each end of the collecting roller in an axial direction. The sealing member comes into contact with the collecting roller between a contact area between the rotating brush and the collecting roller and the cleaning blade and then prevents backflow of the residue. The side sealing member lifts the extension part toward the collecting roller on an outside at a predetermined interval from a position corresponding to each side edge of a maximum-width sheet passing region on the image carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Keisuke Oba
  • Publication number: 20160085202
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a rotating brush, a collecting roller, a cleaning blade, a sealing member and a side sealing member. The sealing member has an extension part extending outside from each end of the collecting roller in an axial direction. The sealing member comes into contact with the collecting roller between a contact area between the rotating brush and the collecting roller and the cleaning blade and then prevents backflow of the residue. The side sealing member lifts the extension part toward the collecting roller on an outside at a predetermined interval from a position corresponding to each side edge of a maximum-width sheet passing region on the image carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Keisuke OBA
  • Patent number: 6879794
    Abstract: Disclosed are image forming apparatus [1] which comprises removing a toner remained on the surface of the rotatable image carrier by cleaning means after going through developing means and transferring means; said cleaning means has an elastic blade and is contacted with the surface of the image carrier at a contact pressure within 8 to 20 g/cm, and a press-contact angle of the elastic blade of 12 to 30°; and said image carrier is an organic photosensitive material having a photosensitive layer made of a binder resin containing an electric charge generating material and an electric charge transferring material; and image forming apparatus [2], comprising a single-layer type photosensitive layer made of a binder resin containing an electric charge generating material, an electron transferring material and a hole transferring material, and the solid content of the binder resin is within 50 to 70 wt % of the whole solid content in the photosensitive layer and, a pair of paper transporting rollers are arranged on
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Azuma, Ayako Yashima, Yukimasa Watanabe, Keisuke Oba, Masashi Fujishima, Takashi Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20020159804
    Abstract: Disclosed are image forming apparatus [1] which comprises removing a toner remained on the surface of the rotatable image carrier by cleaning means after going through developing means and transferring means; said cleaning means has an elastic blade and is contacted with the surface of the image carrier at a contact pressure within 8 to 20 g/cm, and a press-contact angle of the elastic blade of 12 to 30°; and said image carrier is an organic photosensitive material having a photosensitive layer made of a binder resin containing an electric charge generating material and an electric charge transferring material; and image forming apparatus [2], comprising a single-layer type photosensitive layer made of a binder resin containing an electric charge generating material, an electron transferring material and a hole transferring material, and the solid content of the binder resin is within 50 to 70 wt % of the whole solid content in the photosensitive layer and, a pair of paper transporting
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Jun Azuma, Ayako Yashima, Yukimasa Watanabe, Keisuke Oba, Masashi Fujishima, Takashi Nagashima