Patents by Inventor Yu Akiba

Yu Akiba 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: 11971682
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a first unit including a photosensitive member, and a second unit including a developer bearing member and a force receiving portion, the second unit being configured to be rotatable about a first axis to move with respect to the first unit between a first position and a second position. In a state where the first unit is in a same posture as when an image forming operation is performed, the second unit is disposed at the second position by its own weight. The developer bearing member is configured to be rotatable about a second axis. When seen in the direction of the first axis, a first distance between the force receiving portion and the second axis is smaller than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis and a third distance between the first axis and the force receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Yu Akiba, Shuichi Gofuku, Tomofumi Kawamura, Yusuke Atsu, Joji Goto
  • Publication number: 20240112923
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an etching method with a metal hard mask. The method is performed on a wafer surface and includes sequentially forming a metal hard mask layer and at least one functional film layer on a wafer surface in a direction away from the wafer surface. The method includes performing a plurality of etching processes on the at least one functional layer and the metal hard mask layer sequentially in a direction close to the wafer surface. An etching gas adopted by at least one etching process includes a hydrogen element and a fluorine element. A ratio of a content of the hydrogen element in the etching gas to a content of the fluorine element in the etching gas is smaller than a predetermined threshold to reduce generation of a byproduct of hydrogen fluorine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Yu ZHANG, Aki AKIBA, Zhaocheng LIU, Xiaoming HE
  • Patent number: 11835888
    Abstract: A developing device includes a stirring member including a flexible sheet member having a first sheet portion and a second sheet portion overlapping each other with respect to a thickness direction of the sheet member. With respect to a lateral direction of the sheet member which is a direction from a fixed end fixed to a rotating shaft portion to the free end, a length of the first sheet portion is longer than a length of the second sheet portion, and when the stirring member is rotated, a free end of the first sheet portion is capable of contacting an inner wall surface of a toner accommodation chamber. The sheet member is provided with a through hole penetrating in a thickness direction of the sheet member in a region where the first sheet portion and the second sheet portion overlap each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Harunobu Maeda, Masahito Kato, Kodai Hayashi, Takuya Oka, Yu Akiba, Masato Tanabe, Koichi Ooishi, Takatoshi Hamada, Yuichiro Hirata
  • Patent number: 11782383
    Abstract: Provided is a process cartridge where a developing unit includes a coupling member that receives driving force, a driving transmission member that transmits the driving force from the coupling member to a driving roller, and a support member that rotatably supports the coupling member and is movable with respect to a developing frame in a direction intersecting with a rotational axis of the developing roller. The developing frame and the driving transmission member are configured to be movable with respect to a drum frame of a drum unit in the direction intersecting the rotational axis. In this process cartridge, an urging member that engages with both the support member and the drum frame is included such that an urging force is applied in a direction in which a positioned portion of the support member and a positioning portion of the drum frame contact each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Matsumaru, Yu Akiba
  • Publication number: 20230244181
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a first unit including a photosensitive member, and a second unit including a developer bearing member and a force receiving portion, the second unit being configured to be rotatable about a first axis to move with respect to the first unit between a first position and a second position. In a state where the first unit is in a same posture as when an image forming operation is performed, the second unit is disposed at the second position by its own weight. The developer bearing member is configured to be rotatable about a second axis. When seen in the direction of the first axis, a first distance between the force receiving portion and the second axis is smaller than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis and a third distance between the first axis and the force receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Yu Akiba, Shuichi Gofuku, Tomofumi Kawamura, Yusuke Atsu, Joji Goto
  • Patent number: 11650538
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a first unit including a photosensitive member, and a second unit including a developer bearing member and a force receiving portion, the second unit being configured to be rotatable about a first axis to move with respect to the first unit between a first position and a second position. In a state where the first unit is in a same posture as when an image forming operation is performed, the second unit is disposed at the second position by its own weight. The developer bearing member is configured to be rotatable about a second axis. When seen in the direction of the first axis, a first distance between the force receiving portion and the second axis is smaller than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis and a third distance between the first axis and the force receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Yu Akiba, Shuichi Gofuku, Tomofumi Kawamura, Yusuke Atsu, Joji Goto
  • Publication number: 20230115381
    Abstract: Provided is a process cartridge where a developing unit includes a coupling member that receives driving force, a driving transmission member that transmits the driving force from the coupling member to a driving roller, and a support member that rotatably supports the coupling member and is movable with respect to a developing frame in a direction intersecting with a rotational axis of the developing roller. The developing frame and the driving transmission member are configured to be movable with respect to a drum frame of a drum unit in the direction intersecting the rotational axis. In this process cartridge, an urging member that engages with both the support member and the drum frame is included such that an urging force is applied in a direction in which a positioned portion of the support member and a positioning portion of the drum frame contact each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Naoki Matsumaru, Yu Akiba
  • Publication number: 20220283526
    Abstract: A developing device includes a frame having an accommodation chamber where a developer is accommodated, and a replenishing port replenishing a developer to the accommodation chamber from outside; and a stirring member stirring the developer in the accommodation chamber, the stirring member including a rotating shaft portion rotatably supported by the frame and a sheet member having one end fixed to the rotating shaft portion and another end as a free end and being rotatable with the rotating shaft portion. When the stirring member is rotated, the free end of the sheet member is capable of contacting an inner wall surface of the accommodation chamber in which the replenishing port is formed, and a through hole penetrating in a thickness direction of the sheet member is provided in a region of the sheet member that comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the accommodation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Harunobu Maeda, Masahito Kato, Kodai Hayashi, Takuya Oka, Yu Akiba, Masato Tanabe, Koichi Ooishi, Takatoshi Hamada, Yuichiro Hirata
  • Patent number: 11372348
    Abstract: A developing device includes a frame having an accommodation chamber where a developer is accommodated, and a replenishing port replenishing a developer to the accommodation chamber from outside, and a stirring member stirring the developer in the accommodation chamber. The stirring member includes a rotating shaft portion rotatably supported by the frame and a sheet member having one end fixed to the rotating shaft portion and another end as a free end and being rotatable with the rotating shaft portion. When the stirring member is rotated, the free end of the sheet member is capable of contacting an inner wall surface of the accommodation chamber in which the replenishing port is formed, and a through hole penetrating in a thickness direction of the sheet member is provided in a region of the sheet member that comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the accommodation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Harunobu Maeda, Masahito Kato, Kodai Hayashi, Takuya Oka, Yu Akiba, Masato Tanabe, Koichi Ooishi, Takatoshi Hamada, Yuichiro Hirata
  • Publication number: 20220171328
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a first unit including a photosensitive member, and a second unit including a developer bearing member and a force receiving portion, the second unit being configured to be rotatable about a first axis to move with respect to the first unit between a first position and a second position. In a state where the first unit is in a same posture as when an image forming operation is performed, the second unit is disposed at the second position by its own weight. The developer bearing member is configured to be rotatable about a second axis. When seen in the direction of the first axis, a first distance between the force receiving portion and the second axis is smaller than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis and a third distance between the first axis and the force receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Hideki Kakuta, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Yu Akiba, Shuichi Gofuku, Tomofumi Kawamura, Yusuke Atsu, Joji Goto
  • Publication number: 20210080870
    Abstract: A developing device includes a frame having an accommodation chamber where a developer is accommodated, and a replenishing port replenishing a developer to the accommodation chamber from outside; and a stirring member stirring the developer in the accommodation chamber, the stirring member including a rotating shaft portion rotatably supported by the frame and a sheet member having one end fixed to the rotating shaft portion and another end as a free end and being rotatable with the rotating shaft portion. When the stirring member is rotated, the free end of the sheet member is capable of contacting an inner wall surface of the accommodation chamber in which the replenishing port is formed, and a through hole penetrating in a thickness direction of the sheet member is provided in a region of the sheet member that comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the accommodation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Harunobu Maeda, Masahito Kato, Kodai Hayashi, Takuya Oka, Yu Akiba, Masato Tanabe, Koichi Ooishi, Takatoshi Hamada, Yuichiro Hirata
  • Patent number: 10928751
    Abstract: A remanufacturing method of a developing apparatus including: a communicating step of removing a part of a frame of the developing apparatus to form a communication hole such that an outside of the frame and a developing chamber of the frame are connected each other; a refilling step of refilling an inside of the frame with developer via the communication hole; and a sealing step of sealing the communication hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yu Akiba, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Koichi Ooishi, Naoya Asanuma
  • Patent number: 10732545
    Abstract: A method for remanufacturing a cartridge from a source cartridge, wherein the source cartridge includes a first unit and a second unit, the first unit including a first memory unit having a first electrode and a first storage element electrically connected to the first electrode. The method includes removing the first memory unit from the first unit, attaching a second electrode of a second memory unit to the first unit, and attaching a second storage element of the second memory unit to the second unit. The second electrode and the second storage element are connected by a connecting member so that when the second unit moves relative to the first unit, electrical connection between the second electrode and the second storage element is maintained, and the second electrode is electrically connected to a main body electrode of an information apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takeuchi, Shuichi Gofuku, Yu Akiba, Shota Nakamura, Masakazu Tatsumi, Hiroki Shimizu, Tomofumi Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20200073287
    Abstract: A remanufacturing method of a developing apparatus including: a communicating step of removing a part of a frame of the developing apparatus to form a communication hole such that an outside of the frame and a developing chamber of the frame are connected each other; a refilling step of refilling an inside of the frame with developer via the communication hole; and a sealing step of sealing the communication hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Yu Akiba, Toshiaki Takeuchi, Koichi Ooishi, Naoya Asanuma
  • Publication number: 20200073286
    Abstract: A method for remanufacturing a cartridge from a source cartridge, wherein the source cartridge includes a first unit and a second unit, the first unit including a first memory unit having a first electrode and a first storage element electrically connected to the first electrode, the method including: removing the first memory unit from the first unit; and attaching the second electrode of a second memory unit to the first unit and attaching the second storage element of the second memory unit to the second unit, wherein the second electrode and the second storage element are connected by a connecting member so that when the second unit moves relative to the first unit, electrical connection between the second electrode and the second storage element is maintained, and the second electrode is electrically connected to a main body electrode of an information apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takeuchi, Shuichi Gofuku, Yu Akiba, Shota Nakamura, Masakazu Tatsumi, Hiroki Shimizu, Tomofumi Kawamura