Patents by Inventor Teruhiko Namiki

Teruhiko Namiki 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: 11953850
    Abstract: A heater for use in an image heating apparatus includes a substrate, first and second conductors provided on the substrate, and heating elements. The heating elements are arranged between, and electrically connected in parallel to, the first and second conductors. When n denotes a number of heating elements, connected to one second conductor, in one row of the heating elements, a width L denotes a sum (n×Wh) of widths, as seen in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, of shortest current paths of all respective heating elements connected to the one second conductor plus a sum of widths, as seen in the longitudinal direction, of respective gaps between adjacent shortest current paths, and a ratio R denotes a ratio of the sum (n×Wh) of widths to the width L, the heating elements are configured so as to satisfy 0.54?the ratio R<1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaomi Uezono, Takao Kawazu, Teruhiko Namiki, Atsushi Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20230393511
    Abstract: A metal frame provides a ground potential. An image forming unit forms a toner image on a sheet. A fixing apparatus fixes the toner image on the sheet. The fixing apparatus comprises a heating element for generating heat by being supplied with power from an alternating current power source. An insulating layer covers the heating element. A conductive layer contacts the insulating layer and insulated from the metal frame. A tube-shaped member is heated by the heating element. A pressing member is arranged opposing the tube-shaped member and forms a nip portion in cooperation with the tube-shaped member. A capacitive element whose one end is connected to the metal frame and whose other end is connected to the conductive layer of the fixing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: MASAKI INAGAKI, TOSHIYUKI ICHINO, YUJI FUJIWARA, TERUHIKO NAMIKI, TAKAO KAWAZU
  • Publication number: 20230341798
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a circuit including both a circuit within a fixing unit and a power control circuit, provided with a first circuit which supplies power to a heater from an AC power supply, a second circuit electrically insulated from the first circuit, and a third circuit electrically insulated from both the first circuit and the second circuit, all of the first to third circuits are provided on at least one surface of a circuit board, and the first to third circuits are disposed on at least one straight line on which all of the first to third circuits are present on the one surface of the circuit board in the order of the first circuit, the third circuit and the second circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Yuji Fujiwara, Ryota Ogura, Keigo Akiya, Teruhiko Namiki
  • Patent number: 11768454
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a circuit including both a circuit within a fixing unit and a power control circuit, provided with a first circuit which supplies power to a heater from an AC power supply, a second circuit electrically insulated from the first circuit, and a third circuit electrically insulated from both the first circuit and the second circuit, all of the first to third circuits are provided on at least one surface of a circuit board, and the first to third circuits are disposed on at least one straight line on which all of the first to third circuits are present on the one surface of the circuit board in the order of the first circuit, the third circuit and the second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Fujiwara, Ryota Ogura, Keigo Akiya, Teruhiko Namiki
  • Publication number: 20230027168
    Abstract: Provided is an image heating apparatus comprising: a first rotating member; a second rotating member that forms a nip with the first rotating member so as to nip the recording material therebetween; a heater that heats the nip; a conductive sheet member that is disposed so as to overlap with a part of the heater; and a restricting member that restricts relative positions between the sheet member and the heater. The restricting member is configured so as to restrict a relative movement between the sheet member and the heater in a first direction, which is a direction where the sheet member overlaps with a part of the heater, and to allow the relative movement in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. A reinforcing land, that joins the heater and the sheet member, is disposed in a position that is electrically isolated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi Sekimizu, Koichi Yamada, Seiji Obata, Teruhiko Namiki
  • Patent number: 11487230
    Abstract: Provided is an image heating apparatus comprising: a first rotating member; a second rotating member that forms a nip with the first rotating member so as to nip the recording material therebetween; a heater that heats the nip; a conductive sheet member that is disposed so as to overlap with a part of the heater; and a restricting member that restricts relative positions between the sheet member and the heater. The restricting member is configured so as to restrict a relative movement between the sheet member and the heater in a first direction, which is a direction where the sheet member overlaps with a part of the heater, and to allow the relative movement in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. A reinforcing land, that joins the heater and the sheet member, is disposed in a position that is electrically isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Sekimizu, Koichi Yamada, Seiji Obata, Teruhiko Namiki
  • Publication number: 20220299917
    Abstract: A heater for use in an image heating apparatus includes a substrate, first and second conductors provided on the substrate, and heating elements. The heating elements are arranged between, and electrically connected in parallel to, the first and second conductors. When n denotes a number of heating elements, connected to one second conductor, in one row of the heating elements, a width L denotes a sum (n×Wh) of widths, as seen in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, of shortest current paths of all respective heating elements connected to the one second conductor plus a sum of widths, as seen in the longitudinal direction, of respective gaps between adjacent shortest current paths, and a ratio R denotes a ratio of the sum (n×Wh) of widths to the width L, the heating elements are configured so as to satisfy 0.54?the ratio R<1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Takaomi Uezono, Takao Kawazu, Teruhiko Namiki, Atsushi Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20220291611
    Abstract: A heater for an image heating device includes a substrate having first and second surfaces, a heat generating element electrically connected to a first electrode group, both formed on the first surface, a temperature detection element electrically connected to a second electrode group, both formed on the second surface. A plurality of first feed terminals provided in the image heating device in contact with the first electrode group. A plurality of second feed terminals provided in the image heating device in contact with the second electrode group. The first and second electrode groups are disposed on the same side of a midpoint of the substrate in a longitudinal direction. The second electrode group is disposed closer to the midpoint than the first electrode group in the longitudinal direction. The first and second electrode groups are disposed with a gap between the first and second electrode groups in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Yasumasa Matayoshi, Keigo Akiya, Teruhiko Namiki
  • Publication number: 20220146971
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a circuit including both a circuit within a fixing unit and a power control circuit, provided with a first circuit which supplies power to a heater from an AC power supply, a second circuit electrically insulated from the first circuit, and a third circuit electrically insulated from both the first circuit and the second circuit, all of the first to third circuits are provided on at least one surface of a circuit board, and the first to third circuits are disposed on at least one straight line on which all of the first to third circuits are present on the one surface of the circuit board in the order of the first circuit, the third circuit and the second circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Yuji Fujiwara, Ryota Ogura, Keigo Akiya, Teruhiko Namiki
  • Patent number: 11262677
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a circuit including both a circuit within a fixing unit and a power control circuit, provided with a first circuit which supplies power to a heater from an AC power supply, a second circuit electrically insulated from the first circuit, and a third circuit electrically insulated from both the first circuit and the second circuit, all of the first to third circuits are provided on at least one surface of a circuit board, and the first to third circuits are disposed on at least one straight line on which all of the first to third circuits are present on the one surface of the circuit board in the order of the first circuit, the third circuit and the second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Fujiwara, Ryota Ogura, Keigo Akiya, Teruhiko Namiki
  • Patent number: 11249020
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a type of a recording medium is provided. A detection unit detects a characteristic value indicating a physical characteristic of a recording medium. A measurement unit measures a moisture content correlated with a moisture content of the recording medium. A determination unit determines the type of the recording medium based on the moisture content and the characteristic value. The determination unit may correct the characteristic value using the moisture content or correct a rule for determining the type of the recording medium using the moisture content unit, and determines the type of the recording medium in accordance with the corrected characteristic value or the corrected rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Teruhiko Namiki, Tsutomu Ishida, Masafumi Monde, Takuya Shono
  • Patent number: 10983464
    Abstract: A plurality of electric conductors provided on a substrate of a heater of an image heating device has a conductor group A including a plurality of first electric conductors and a conductor group B including a plurality of second electric conductors. The plurality of first electric conductors each have a first portion having a width W1 and a second portion having a width W2 smaller than the width W1, are provided on the substrate to be arranged side by side in a width direction. The plurality of second electric conductors each have a width W3 larger than the width W2, are provided on the substrate to be arranged side by side in a width direction so as to partially overlap the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakashima, Teruhiko Namiki, Takao Kawazu, Ryota Ogura
  • Publication number: 20210041817
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a circuit including both a circuit within a fixing unit and a power control circuit, provided with a first circuit which supplies power to a heater from an AC power supply, a second circuit electrically insulated from the first circuit, and a third circuit electrically insulated from both the first circuit and the second circuit, all of the first to third circuits are provided on at least one surface of a circuit board, and the first to third circuits are disposed on at least one straight line on which all of the first to third circuits are present on the one surface of the circuit board in the order of the first circuit, the third circuit and the second circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Yuji Fujiwara, Ryota Ogura, Keigo Akiya, Teruhiko Namiki
  • Publication number: 20200401070
    Abstract: Provided is an image heating apparatus comprising: a first rotating member; a second rotating member that forms a nip with the first rotating member so as to nip the recording material therebetween; a heater that heats the nip; a conductive sheet member that is disposed so as to overlap with a part of the heater; and a restricting member that restricts relative positions between the sheet member and the heater. The restricting member is configured so as to restrict a relative movement between the sheet member and the heater in a first direction, which is a direction where the sheet member overlaps with a part of the heater, and to allow the relative movement in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. A reinforcing land, that joins the heater and the sheet member, is disposed in a position that is electrically isolated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Koichi Sekimizu, Koichi Yamada, Seiji Obata, Teruhiko Namiki
  • Patent number: 10845741
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a circuit including both a circuit within a fixing unit and a power control circuit, provided with a first circuit which supplies power to a heater from an AC power supply, a second circuit electrically insulated from the first circuit, and a third circuit electrically insulated from both the first circuit and the second circuit, all of the first to third circuits are provided on at least one surface of a circuit board, and the first to third circuits are disposed on at least one straight line on which all of the first to third circuits are present on the one surface of the circuit board in the order of the first circuit, the third circuit and the second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Fujiwara, Ryota Ogura, Keigo Akiya, Teruhiko Namiki
  • Publication number: 20200301329
    Abstract: A plurality of electric conductors provided on a substrate of a heater of an image heating device has a conductor group A including a plurality of first electric conductors and a conductor group B including a plurality of second electric conductors. The plurality of first electric conductors each have a first portion having a width W1 and a second portion having a width W2 smaller than the width W1, are provided on the substrate to be arranged side by side in a width direction. The plurality of second electric conductors each have a width W3 larger than the width W2, are provided on the substrate to be arranged side by side in a width direction so as to partially overlap the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakashima, Teruhiko Namiki, Takao Kawazu, Ryota Ogura
  • Patent number: 10712984
    Abstract: A control unit of the invention compares printing setting suitable for a determined type of a recording material and printing setting of the recording material input by a user, and in a case where a difference between the printing setting suitable for the determined type of the recording material and the printing setting of the recording material input by the user falls in a predetermined range, the control unit performs a printing operation in accordance with the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, and in a case where the difference is greater than the predetermined range, the control unit performs the printing operation by changing the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, which is used when the difference is smaller than the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryo Suzuki, Munehito Kurata, Teruhiko Namiki, Yasuhisa Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20200150566
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a circuit including both a circuit within a fixing unit and a power control circuit, provided with a first circuit which supplies power to a heater from an AC power supply, a second circuit electrically insulated from the first circuit, and a third circuit electrically insulated from both the first circuit and the second circuit, all of the first to third circuits are provided on at least one surface of a circuit board, and the first to third circuits are disposed on at least one straight line on which all of the first to third circuits are present on the one surface of the circuit board in the order of the first circuit, the third circuit and the second circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Yuji Fujiwara, Ryota Ogura, Keigo Akiya, Teruhiko Namiki
  • Publication number: 20200150913
    Abstract: A control unit of the invention compares printing setting suitable for a determined type of a recording material and printing setting of the recording material input by a user, and in a case where a difference between the printing setting suitable for the determined type of the recording material and the printing setting of the recording material input by the user falls in a predetermined range, the control unit performs a printing operation in accordance with the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, and in a case where the difference is greater than the predetermined range, the control unit performs the printing operation by changing the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, which is used when the difference is smaller than the predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Ryo Suzuki, Munehito Kurata, Teruhiko Namiki, Yasuhisa Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10558410
    Abstract: A control unit of the invention compares printing setting suitable for a determined type of a recording material and printing setting of the recording material input by a user, and in a case where a difference between the printing setting suitable for the determined type of the recording material and the printing setting of the recording material input by the user falls in a predetermined range, the control unit performs a printing operation in accordance with the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, and in a case where the difference is greater than the predetermined range, the control unit performs the printing operation by changing the printing setting of the recording material input by the user, which is used when the difference is smaller than the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryo Suzuki, Munehito Kurata, Teruhiko Namiki, Yasuhisa Matsumoto