Patents by Inventor Takahito Ueno

Takahito Ueno 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: 20190391528
    Abstract: A device for transmitting a rotational force to an electrophotographic photosensitive drum includes a pin supported by a flange, with the pin being configured to transmit the rotational force to the flange. The device also includes a coupling member having a rotational axis, the coupling member including (i) a first end portion operatively connected to the flange, (ii) a second end portion including at least one projection, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion, with the first end portion including a through-hole portion. The pin penetrates the through-hole portion and is capable of receiving the rotational force from the coupling member, and the coupling member is movable with respect to the pin between a first position in which the rotational axis of the coupling member is coaxial with an axis of the flange, and a second position in which the rotational axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the axis of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 10474096
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum; a discharging path for permitting movement of a developer removed from the drum, the discharging path including a developer discharge opening and a movable portion through which the developer is movable and which is movable between a retracted position in an upstream side with respect to a developer moving direction through the discharge opening and a advanced position in a downstream side with respect to the developer moving direction; and a sealing portion for closing the discharging path by contacting the movable portion at a position different from that of the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10444701
    Abstract: Provided are a drive force transmission member and control unit. The drive force transmission member has multiple first engaging portions. Drive force is transmitted from the drive force transmission member to a drive force receiving member with each first engaging portion engaged with a second engaging portion of the drive force receiving member. The second engaging portions are movable in a radial direction centered on a rotation axis line of the drive force transmission member. The control unit performs rotation control of forward rotation of the drive force transmission member by ?° and thereafter backward rotation by ?° after a cartridge is mounted to an apparatus main body but before image formation. Each of the multiple first engaging portions is upstream in the forward rotation direction of the drive force transmission member from the second engaging portion out of the multiple second engaging portions with which engaging will be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takeuchi, Takahito Ueno, Masaki Seto, Bunro Noguchi
  • Patent number: 10444697
    Abstract: A main body includes a second movable member that is movable and that has a first recess portion. The second movable member is moved from a first position where a first projecting portion of a first cartridge can enter the first recess portion to a second position by a movement of the first projecting portion, thereby allowing a second cartridge to be moved to an attachment position of the main body. The second movable member also allows a third projecting portion of the second cartridge to enter the first recess portion at the first position. The second movable member is moved to the second position when the third projecting portion enters the first recess portion, thereby allowing the second cartridge to be moved to the attachment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Makiguchi, Masato Tanabe, Hiroki Shimizu, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10429794
    Abstract: A rotating force transmitting part for an electrophotographic photosensitive drum for a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a driving shaft, to be driven by a motor, having the rotating force applying portion, and wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is dismountable from the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a direction substantial perpendicular with an axial direction of the driving shaft, the rotating force transmitting part includes a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in the state in which electrophotographic photosensitive drum is mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitt
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Publication number: 20190278219
    Abstract: A process cartridge, a combination of a process cartridge and a drive shaft of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a method of mounting and using a process cartridge in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include a feature wherein a coupling member of the process cartridge can take different angular positions relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In one position, an axis of the coupling member is inclined relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In a second position, the axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Publication number: 20190278218
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a coupling member operatively connected to the photosensitive drum. The coupling member is movable between a position in which an axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with an axis of the photosensitive drum and a position in which the axis of the coupling member is not substantially coaxial with the axis of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka
  • Publication number: 20190278217
    Abstract: A process cartridge, combination of a process cartridge and a drive shaft of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and a method of mounting and using a process cartridge in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus include a feature that a coupling member of the process cartridge can take different angular positions relative to the fixed axis of rotation of the drive shaft. In one position, the axis of the coupling member is inclined relative to the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation. In another position, the axis of the coupling member is substantially coaxial with the drive shaft's fixed axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Publication number: 20190271939
    Abstract: A developing device usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the apparatus including a driving shaft rotatable by a motor and having a rotating force applying portion, and a movable member, the developing device being mountable to the movable member, and the developing device being movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft in response to movement of the movable member in one direction with the developing device mounted to the movable member, the developing device includes i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis; and ii) a coupling member for transmitting a rotating force to the developing roller, the coupling member including, a rotating force receiving portion engageable with the rotating force applying portion to receive a rotating force from the driving shaft, and a rotating force transmitting portion for
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Masanari Morioka, Shiego Miyabe, Takahito Ueno
  • Patent number: 10386785
    Abstract: This invention concerns a cleaning unit which has a photosensitive body and a cleaning frame body supporting the photosensitive body, and which is attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording material. In the cleaning unit, which is installed in the apparatus main body so as to adjoin a developing unit including a developing roller that bears toner for developing an electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive body 1, engagement portions (bosses) are disposed on the cleaning frame body so as to protrude toward the developing unit side, and engage with engaged portions (insertion guide portions) disposed on the apparatus main body when the cleaning unit is attached to the apparatus main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruhiko Sasaki, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Takahito Ueno
  • Publication number: 20190204779
    Abstract: A technique enabling downsizing of an image forming apparatus is provided. A cleaning unit 13 attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a recording material 12 is provided, with this cleaning unit 13 including: a photosensitive drum 1; and a cleaning frame body 14 that supports the photosensitive drum 1 and that includes an opening 14c through which laser light 3c for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 can pass, wherein the opening 14c is configured such that a width of the opening 14c in a scanning direction in an irradiation range of the light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 becomes greater toward a side of the photosensitive drum 1 from a side of a light source of light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takeuchi, Takahito Ueno, Yuuki Nakamura, Kensuke Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20190179256
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive member, a discharge opening for discharging a developer removed from the photosensitive member, toward a loosening member provided in the main assembly of a apparatus; a vibration imparting member for imparting vibration to the loosening member. The vibration imparting member is movable between a first position for imparting the vibration to the loosening member and a second position retracted from the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20190155204
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a rotatable member, a coupling member for receiving a rotational force for rotating the rotatable member, and a cylindrical member movably supporting one end portion of the coupling member. A first regulating portion is provided inside of the cylindrical member for preventing the end portion of the coupling member from disengaging in an axial direction of the cylindrical member, with the first regulating portion being capable of deformation to allow the one end portion of the coupling member to disengage in the axial direction of the cylindrical member. A second regulating portion is provided for regulating the deformation of the first regulating portion in a state in which the end portion of the coupling member is mounted to the inside of the cylindrical member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Atsushi Takasaka
  • Publication number: 20190137928
    Abstract: A rotating force transmitting part for an electrophotographic photosensitive drum for a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a driving shaft, to be driven by a motor, having the rotating force applying portion, and wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is dismountable from the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a direction substantial perpendicular with an axial direction of the driving shaft, the rotating force transmitting part includes a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in the state in which electrophotographic photosensitive drum is mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitt
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 10268156
    Abstract: A technique enabling downsizing of an image forming apparatus is provided. A cleaning unit 13 attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus 100 that forms an image on a recording material 12 is provided, with this cleaning unit 13 including: a photosensitive drum 1; and a cleaning frame body 14 that supports the photosensitive drum 1 and that includes an opening 14c through which laser light 3c for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 can pass, wherein the opening 14c is configured such that a width of the opening 14c in a scanning direction in an irradiation range of the light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1 becomes greater toward a side of the photosensitive drum 1 from a side of a light source of light for exposing the photosensitive drum 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takeuchi, Takahito Ueno, Yuuki Nakamura, Kensuke Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20190079448
    Abstract: A cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a driving shaft having a rotational force applying portion, wherein the cartridge is dismountable from the main assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft, the cartridge including i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof; and ii) a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the developing roller, the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the developing roller to the developing roller and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the rotational force transmitting angular position, wherein when t
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Masanari Morioka
  • Patent number: 10209670
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit usable in a process cartridge includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof and an axis L1. A drum flange is provided at one end of the cylinder, with the drum flange including a recess formed on an inside thereof and a gear portion provided along an outer surface of the drum flange. A detachable member is detachably attached to the drum flange and overlaps parts of the recess as seen along a direction of the axis L1, with the detachable member being provided within the drum flange in the direction of the axis L1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Patent number: 10168665
    Abstract: A cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a driving shaft having a rotational force applying portion, wherein the cartridge is dismountable from the main assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft, the cartridge including i) a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof; and ii) a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the developing roller, the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the developing roller to the developing roller and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the rotational force transmitting angular position, wherein when t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Masanari Morioka
  • Publication number: 20180364640
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a casing and developer contained within the casing. The process cartridge also includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, with the photosensitive drum being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1, and a developing roller having an axis L1?, with the developing roller being configured to develop a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum with the developer, and with the developing roller being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1?. A coupling member is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, the coupling member including a body having an axis L2, and the coupling member including at least one projection provided at an end of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Takahito Ueno, Shigeo Miyabe, Masanari Morioka, Masato Hisano
  • Publication number: 20180348700
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum; a discharging path for permitting movement of a developer removed from the drum, the discharging path including a developer discharge opening and a movable portion through which the developer is movable and which is movable between a retracted position in an upstream side with respect to a developer moving direction through the discharge opening and a advanced position in a downstream side with respect to the developer moving direction; and a sealing portion for closing the discharging path by contacting the movable portion at a position different from that of the discharge opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Akinobu Hirayama, Takahito Ueno, Toshiaki Takeuchi