Having Mounting Or Supporting Means Patents (Class 347/257)
  • Patent number: 11940741
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that extends in a first direction; a light emitter that includes a substrate that extends in the first direction, and multiple light-emitting devices that are disposed on the substrate and emit light to the image carrier; a positioning portion that is disposed between the substrate and the image carrier, and that fixes a position of the light emitter with respect to the image carrier in at least one direction perpendicular to a light emission direction; and an adjuster that is located to overlap the positioning portion when viewed in the first direction, and that adjusts a position of the light emitter in the light emission direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Kenta Tonosu, Yosuke Kasuya, Takahiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11048205
    Abstract: Example safety mechanisms for example printing apparatuses are provided. An example printing apparatus may include at least one linear guide disposed on a first surface of a back-spine section of a printer body and a top chassis portion coupled to the at least one linear guide. In some examples, the top chassis portion may include a laser safety casing. In some examples, the laser safety casing may comprise a laser module configured to emit a laser beam along a laser path and a safety cover that is moveable to a first cover position intersecting the laser path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: DATAMAX-O'NEIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Pratama Djayaputra, Florante Go, Sébastien Michel Marie Joseph D'Armancourt, Fong Yin Lau
  • Patent number: 10725289
    Abstract: A casing of an optical scanning apparatus includes: a mounting portion to which a sound-insulating member is mountable; a first and a second support portions supporting a reflective mirror in the casing on which the sound-insulating member is mounted and brought into contact with a back surface of the reflective mirror; and a third and a fourth support portions supporting a reflective mirror in the casing on which the sound-insulating member is not mounted and brought into contact with a back surface of the reflective mirror, wherein the first and the second support portions are positioned between the third and the fourth support portions in a longitudinal direction of the reflective mirror, and contact portions of the third and the fourth support portions protrude toward a reflective surface side of the reflective mirror to be arranged with respect to contact portions of the first and the second support portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakahata, Yasuaki Otoguro, Takehiro Ishidate, Yuta Okada, Daisuke Aruga
  • Patent number: 10371941
    Abstract: A light beam scanning device deflecting, by using a rotating polygon mirror, a light beam emitted from a light source and condensing, by using a scanning lens, the deflected light beam onto a scanned surface. The light beam scanning device includes: a base made of a metal or a resin; a motor unit attached to the base and rotating the polygon mirror; a holding member holding the scanning lens; and one or more fixing members disposed between the base and the holding member, fixing the holding member to the base with the scanning lens spaced away from the base. In the light beam scanning device, the base has, between at least one of the fixing members and the motor unit, a penetrating hole or groove around which heat transmitted from the motor unit through the base to the fixing member passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Ryo Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 10298797
    Abstract: Sealability between a cover member and a transparent member of an optical scanning apparatus is improved to improve dustproof performance. An optical scanning apparatus includes an elastic member 75 for sealing a portion between a cover member 70 and a glass member 90, the elastic member 75 being formed on the cover member 70 so as to surround an opening portion 42, the elastic member 75 being formed from a material that differs from that of the cover member 70. The elastic member 75 has a protrusion 75a that extends towards the glass member 90. The protrusion 75a fills a gap between the cover member 70 and the glass member 90 by contacting the glass member 90 and being elastically deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuaki Otoguro, Takehiro Ishidate
  • Patent number: 9817332
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a deflecting unit having a deflecting surface, and arranged to deflect a light beam and optically scan a scanned surface in a main-scanning direction; an incident optical system arranged to cause the light beam to be obliquely incident on the deflecting surface in a sub-scanning section; and a light receiving unit arranged to receive a light beam deflected by the deflecting surface and generate a signal. A following condition is satisfied, |?|?|?|, where ? (deg) is an incident angle of the light beam from the incident optical system with respect to the deflecting surface in the sub-scanning section, and ? (deg) is an angle defined by the light beam incident on the deflecting surface and the light beam deflected by the deflecting surface and directed toward the light receiving unit in a main-scanning section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Igarashi
  • Patent number: 9599922
    Abstract: Provided are a light scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the same. The light scanning apparatus includes a housing, which includes a space therein; a light source module, which is installed at the housing and emits a light beam; a light deflector, which is installed on the bottom surface of the housing and deflects the light beam emitted by the light source module; an image forming optical system, which is installed in the space inside the housing and forms an image of the light beam deflected by the light deflector on a surface to be scanned; a flow restricting unit, which is arranged in the space inside the housing and restricts air flows formed as the light deflector is driven; and a cover, which covers the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chul-hyun Park, In-sung Lee
  • Patent number: 9535390
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a paper sheet feeder, an image forming circuit, a paper sheet discharge unit, and a high voltage circuit board. The paper sheet feeder is located in the apparatus main body to feed a sheet. The image forming circuit is located in the apparatus main body to form an image on the sheet fed by the paper sheet feeder. The image formed sheet with is discharged to the paper sheet discharge unit. The high voltage circuit board is located along a horizontal direction over the image forming circuit in the apparatus main body to supply a high voltage to the image forming circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Akinori Matsuno
  • Patent number: 9465189
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an optical probe, comprising: a first sleeve in which a lens is contained, the first sleeve having a light transmission aperture from which an exciting light enters the first sleeve; a second sleeve movably engaged with the first sleeve and having a detection window from which the exciting light having passed through the first sleeve and focused by the lens exits the optical probe, the second sleeve being capable of moving with respect to the first sleeve from a first detection position to a second detection position or from the second detection position to the first detection position; and a positioning member configured to position the second sleeve at the first detection position or the second detection position with respect to the first sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ziran Zhao, Jianhong Zhang, Hongqiu Wang, Dong Lin, Shixin Zhang, Bin Hu, Yumin Yi
  • Patent number: 9405117
    Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes first and second light source units including respective light sources; a rotating polygon mirror that performs deflection scanning of laser beams emitted from the light sources included in the first and second light source units; and a positioning member including a first abutting portion on which the first light source unit abuts and a second abutting portion on which the second light source unit abuts, the positioning member positioning the first and second light source units. The first and second light source units are positioned by the positioning member and arranged next to each other in a rotation axis direction of the rotating polygon mirror. The positioning member is a single member disposed between the first and second light source units in the rotation axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taku Murotani, Kunihiro Niwa, Junya Azami, Tetsuya Nishiguchi, Hisanori Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9318153
    Abstract: A data storage apparatus includes a controller capable of being coupled to a read/write head. The controller is configured to receive a fault signal from a sensor of the read/write head. The sensor indicates whether an energy source used to heat the recording medium is malfunctioning during a write operation. In response to the fault signal, the controller takes remedial action to protect the data associated with the write operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Jon D. Trantham, Robert Matousek, Todd M. Lammers
  • Patent number: 9261853
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including an image forming unit having a photosensitive drum and a developer device; a first frame, made of a resin, formed in an approximate shape of a rectangle plate having shorter sides and longer sides, and arranged on one end, along an axial direction of a rotation axis of the photosensitive drum, of the image forming unit; a first beam formed in an elongated shape, arranged along and fixed to a planar face of the first frame, is provided. The first beam is arranged to partly overlap the image forming unit, when viewed along a facing direction to face the planar face of the first frame orthogonally, and is fixed to end parts on the longer sides of the first frame at longitudinal ends thereof at least along the facing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Souda, Yohei Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9195063
    Abstract: A light scanning apparatus, including: a light source; a deflector configured to deflect the light beam from the light source to scan a photosensitive member; an optical member configured to guide the light beam; a housing including a housing engaging portion and a supporting portion configured to support the optical member; a leaf spring including a pressing portion and a leaf spring engaging portion; and an abutment portion, wherein, in a process in which the housing engaging portion and the leaf spring engaging portion are moved from a second state in which the leaf spring engaging portion is not engaged with the housing engaging portion to a first state in which the leaf spring engaging portion is engaged with the housing engaging portion, the pressing portion is moved from the abutment portion to the optical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehiro Ishidate, Yasuaki Otoguro, Juichi Kawano
  • Patent number: 9158278
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet conveyance passage, a photosensitive drum, a transfer unit, a fixing section, a conveyance unit, one or more detection sensors, an airflow generating section, a cooling airflow passage, and a shielding member. The conveyance unit is at an opposite side of the transfer unit from the photosensitive drum with a predetermined clearance from the transfer unit. Each detection sensor is disposed to face the transfer unit in cross section intersecting the axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The sheet detection sensor performs a predetermined detection. The airflow generating section causes a cooling airflow to flow between the transfer unit and the conveyance unit in the axial direction. The cooling airflow passage guides the cooling airflow toward each detection sensor. The shielding member blocks an airflow from a location around the transfer unit toward the cooling airflow passage in a direction intersecting the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuya Yamashita, Kosuke Uchida, Yasuhiro Tauchi
  • Patent number: 9086645
    Abstract: A light scanning apparatus, including: a light source; a deflector having a rotary polygon mirror configured to deflect the light beam emitted from the light source, and a motor configured to rotate the polygon mirror; a plurality of reflecting mirrors configured to reflect the light beam to the photosensitive member; and an optical box on which the light source is mounted, wherein the optical box has an installation wall on which the deflector is installed and a support wall positioned on a side of the photosensitive member with respect to the polygon mirror, the support wall being provided with a support portion configured to support at least one reflecting mirror, a stepped portion having a plurality of steps is formed between the installation wall and the support wall, and a back surface of the stepped portion has a shape following an inside surface of the stepped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuaki Otoguro, Takehiro Ishidate
  • Patent number: 9057878
    Abstract: A light scanning unit includes: a light source unit; a polygon mirror for deflecting and scanning light emitted from the light source unit, in a main scanning direction, and having a plurality of deflection surfaces and a plurality of edges at which adjacent deflection surfaces meet one another; an image forming optical system for condensing the deflected light; and a synchronization detection optical system for detecting a portion of light that is divided and reflected at an edge of the polygon mirror. The light scanning unit may be incorporated into an image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyung-soo Kim
  • Patent number: 9030519
    Abstract: An optical writing device includes a light source, an optical deflector that deflects and scans light from the light source, a pre-deflector optical system that guides the light from the light source to the deflector, a post-deflector optical system that guides the scanned light to a target surface, a cover covering the deflector and including a first opening and a second opening provided at different positions, and a housing housing these optical elements. Light traveling from the light source to the deflector and the light scanned by the deflector are transmitted through the first opening but not through the second opening. During the rotation of the deflector, a forced inflow of air flowing from outside to inside the cover is generated in the first opening, and a discharged airflow flowing from inside to outside the cover is generated in the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Narita, Kazunori Bannai, Takeshi Yamakawa, Kazunori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9019331
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes a housing, a polygon mirror accommodated within the housing and configured to reflect light of a light source, a lens accommodated within the housing and arranged on an optical path of the light reflected by the polygon mirror, and a cover member. The cover member is mounted to the housing and is provided with an opening formed so as to expose at least a portion of the lens. The opening is closed by a seal member which is attached to a portion of the lens exposed from the opening and an outer wall surface of the cover member existing around the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tomioka
  • Publication number: 20150097914
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting apparatus (2) for providing light for processing an object (3). A ring of light sources generates processing light for processing the object and an imaging unit (9) images the ring of light sources onto a working plane (16) in which the object is to be processed, wherein the ring of light sources and the imaging unit are configured such that images of the light sources in the working plane are distributed equidistantly in a direction being parallel to a diameter of the imaged ring in the working plane. The ring arrangement allows for a high quality imaging with a relatively small and technically simple optical element. A relatively small lighting apparatus can therefore be provided, which can be used for applications like laser printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Stephan Gronenborn, Gero Heusler
  • Patent number: 8963979
    Abstract: A fixing structure for fixing an optical element at a predetermined position in an optical device, the fixing structure has a plurality of first pressing members to fix the optical element at at least two positions on a surface of the optical element orthogonal to an optical axis of the optical element and a second pressing member to fix the optical element at a predetermined position on a surface of the optical element to the optical axis. A depth of pressing of the surface of the optical element by a tip of the second pressing member is larger than the depth of pressing of the surface of the optical element by the tips of the first pressing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Tajima, Yasushi Nagasaka, Takahiro Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8953010
    Abstract: A light scanning includes an adjusting unit that displaces the optical member to adjust the optical axis of the laser beam. The adjusting unit includes a shaft portion, a shaft supporting portion, a turning portion, a driving portion, and a turning damping unit. The shaft portion is configured to bidirectionally move in a first direction and in a second direction while turning. The first direction is a direction where the shaft portion approaches the optical member. The second direction is a direction where the shaft portion moves away from the optical member. The shaft supporting portion supports the shaft portion, and moves the shaft portion in accordance with turning of the shaft portion. The turning portion turns the shaft portion. The driving portion turns the turning portion. The turning damping unit damps a turning force applied to the shaft portion by an external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Matsuo, Ryosuke Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8947486
    Abstract: A light emitting element head includes a first light emitting element array, a second light emitting element array, and an optical device. The first light emitting element array includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a main scan direction. The second light emitting element array includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the main scan direction. The optical device focuses a light output from the first light emitting element array and the second light emitting element array on a photoreceptor to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor. The first light emitting element array and the second light emitting element array are overlapped each other in a sub scan direction in an overlapping section. Interval between the light emitting elements of the first light emitting element array are different from interval between the light emitting elements of the second light emitting element array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ken Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8933980
    Abstract: A light scanning unit and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus are provided. The light scanning unit includes a light source unit for emitting a light beam, a light deflector for scanning and deflecting the light beam, an imaging optical system having an imaging lens for imaging the scanned and deflected light beam, and first and second reflection members arranged on an optical path, a housing, and first and second assembly members for pressing and fixing the first and second reflection members on the housing. The assembly members press and fix the reflection members on the housing by pressing the reflection members in a direction in which curvature of a scanning line due to the inclination of the first reflection member and curvature of a scanning line due to the inclination of the second reflection member are offset with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chul-hyun Park
  • Patent number: 8913097
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes an optical element and an optical base. The optical element includes a first bonding surface, while the optical base includes a second bonding surface. A groove in which a bonding agent flows is formed in at least one of the first bonding surface of the optical element and the second bonding surface of the optical base. The optical element is bonded and fixed to the optical base through the first bonding surface and the second boding surface by means of the bonding agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hironobu Oi
  • Patent number: 8908001
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a plurality of stations, each of which includes an light source, a deflector (polygon scan), a scanning optical element, and a housing. The light source emits a light beam to a plurality of surfaces to be scanned. The deflector deflects light beams emitted from the light source. The scanning optical element scans the surfaces to be scanned with light spots of the optical beams deflected by the deflector. The housing houses therein the light source, the deflector, and the scanning optical element. The scanning optical element is secured to the housing so that directions of scanning-line curves caused by temperature change match between the surfaces to be scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Taku Amada
  • Patent number: 8902268
    Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus capable of fixing an optical member using a plate spring without forming a die cut hole and thus having high dust-proof performance includes a mirror supporting portion supporting a reflection mirror, and a projecting portion configured to form a gap between the reflection mirror supported on the mirror supporting portion and itself, and to deform the plate spring with the reflection mirror, and the projecting portion is provided with a cut hole for engaging the plate spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuaki Otoguro, Takehiro Ishidate
  • Patent number: 8902269
    Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source configured to emit a light beam, a scanning unit configured to deflect the light beam from the light source so as to scan a photosensitive member, an optical lens configured to guide the light beam scanned by the scanning unit onto the photosensitive member, and a lens supporting unit having a fixing portion configured to fix the optical lens, wherein the lens supporting unit includes a movable supporting portion configured to restrict movement of the optical lens in a direction perpendicular to a scanning direction of the light beam and an optical axis direction of the optical lens, to restrict movement of the optical lens in the optical axis direction, and to support the optical lens movably in the scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuaki Otoguro
  • Patent number: 8896650
    Abstract: The calculation unit calculates the time interval between the time at detecting the light beam reflected by the reflective surface of the rotatory polyhedron incident on the BD sensor by the light beam detecting unit and the time at detecting the light beam reflected by the reflective surface incident on the optical sensor in the light source by the return light beam detecting unit. The scan adjusting unit adjusts the luminescence time of the light source for scanning the light beam on the surface to be scanned based on the time interval calculated by the calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Shingo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8878887
    Abstract: If inclination correction of scanning line is performed while the incident position of the laser beam is not suitable, the shape of a spot of the laser beam which forms an image on a photosensitive drum may not be uniform depending on the scanning position of the laser beam. The housing is provided with a U-shaped groove to which the convex portion of a lens hold member that holds the lens is engaged. With the position of the convex portion adjusted, the convex portion is attached and secured in the U-shaped groove. Thus, the installation position of the lens to an optical path of the laser beam is adjusted, and the lens can be rotated and adjusted in order to correct an inclination or a bending of scanning line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuuta Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20140285611
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a sensor unit assembly including a sensor unit and a holder attached to the sensor unit, and a cover member attached to the sensor unit assembly. The sensor unit includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The cover member includes a light transmission portion covering a light emitting side of the light emitting element and a light receiving side of the light receiving element and an engaging portion sandwiched between the sensor unit and the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kentaro Murayama
  • Patent number: 8842149
    Abstract: An exposure device includes a polygon motor, an f? lens, and a heat-insulating room. The polygon motor is driven into rotation while producing heat, which makes it likely that the temperature of a portion of the f? lens near a housing right wall becomes lower than that of a portion of the f? lens near a housing left wall. The exposure device further includes a recess located above the f? lens and extended in a right-and-left direction. The heat-insulating room is formed by disposing a plate above the portion of the f? lens near the housing right wall to cover the recess. Thus, the plate restricts upward heat release from the portion of the f? lens near the housing right wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tomioka
  • Patent number: 8836745
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an exposure device including a plurality of light emitting elements, and a holding member configured to hold the exposure device at a mounting portion between first positioning members provided at both longitudinal end portions of the exposure device. In addition, a second positioning member positions the holding member relative to the image bearing member so as to position the exposure device relative to the image bearing member at the mounting portion, a second elastic member urges the holding member toward the image bearing member so as to maintain a positioned state of the second positioning member, and first and second adjusting members adjusts a distance in a direction of an optical axis between the image bearing member and the exposure device at both longitudinal end portions and at the mounting portion of the exposure device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kengo Sato
  • Patent number: 8820508
    Abstract: A bill handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention has a frame provided with a bill feeding path in which a bill is fed and with side wall portions provided in the width direction of the bill feeding path, a bill reading section installed in the frame to read a fed bill, and a bill identifying section for identifying authentication of the bill read by the bill reading section. The bill reading section is provided with a light guide member to which light is input from a light-emitting device as a light-emitting portion that applies the light to the fed bill, and the light guide member is installed to enter inside the side wall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Nireki
  • Patent number: 8810622
    Abstract: A light scanning apparatus, including: a light source configured to emit a light beam; a beam splitter configured to split the light beam into a first and a second light beams; a rotary polygon mirror configured to deflect the first light beam to scan a photosensitive member; a motor configured to rotate the rotary polygon mirror; a first lens configured to guide the first light beam to the photosensitive member; an optical sensor configured to receive the second light beam; a second lens configured to condense the second light beam on the optical sensor; and an optical box has a wall standing from a bottom surface between a region in which the rotary polygon mirror and the motor are disposed and a region in which the second lens is disposed, and a height of the wall from the bottom surface is higher than a height of the rotary polygon mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiharu Mamiya, Hiroshi Nakahata, Yuta Okada, Shinichiro Hosoi
  • Patent number: 8810621
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a rotating body having a rotating polygon mirror that deflects a light beam; a circuit board having a supporting member that supports the rotating member and a driving unit that drives the rotating body; a container containing the rotating body and the circuit board and having a positioning portion that positions a positioned portion of the rotating body, the positioned portion projecting from the circuit board; first and second fastening portions that fasten the circuit board to the container; and an adjusting portion that adjusts an angle of a rotating shaft of the rotating body with respect to the container. A virtual straight line connecting the first and second fastening portions passes through the rotating body when seen in an axial direction of the rotating shaft. The adjusting portion resides on a side of the virtual straight line opposite the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Suzuki, Keiichi Mikami, Naoyuki Tada
  • Patent number: 8803936
    Abstract: An optical device includes a surface-emitting laser array having a plurality of light-emitting portions; a package member on which the surface-emitting laser array is disposed; and a transparent member retained on the package member and disposed on an optical path of a light beam emitted by the surface-emitting laser array. The transparent member includes an incident plane on which the light beam emitted by the surface-emitting laser array is incident. The incident plane is inclined with respect to an emitting surface of the surface-emitting laser array at a first inclination angle which is smaller than a second inclination angle at which the light emitted by one of the light-emitting portions is incident on another, most-distant one, of the light-emitting portions via reflection by the transparent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Adachi, Shunichi Sato, Satoru Sugawara, Toshihiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 8786657
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: an image bearing member; a latent image forming unit configured to emit a light beam based on image data and to form an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member by the light beam; a placement unit provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus, on which the latent image forming unit is placed; an elastic member disposed between the latent image forming unit and the placement unit; and a pressing unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus and configured to press the latent image forming unit toward the placement unit so that the elastic member is pressed by the latent image forming unit and the placement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Aruga
  • Patent number: 8786658
    Abstract: An exposure device to expose an exposure element includes a light source; an optical system to guide light emitted from the light source to the exposure element; and an optical housing, configured with a plurality of plates, to support the light source and the optical system. At least one of the plurality of plates configuring the optical housing is formed with a plurality of grooves on each of a first face and a second face with a given pitch on the one of the plurality of plates, the first face and the second face being opposite faces with each other. The plurality of grooves are arranged by shifting the center of each of grooves formed on the first face and the center of each of grooves formed on the second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Kubo, Toshiaki Tokita, Kohji Sakai, Naoto Watanabe, Tomohiro Nakajima, Yorichika Ishiyama
  • Patent number: 8760483
    Abstract: In an exposure device, a light source device having multiple light emitting devices arranged in one-dimensional or two-dimensional directions projects light against an image bearing member. A light source holding member holds the light source device in place. An optical device condenses the light projected from the light source device onto the image bearing member. An optical device holding member holds the optical device to maintain a predetermined gap between the optical device and the light source device on the light source holding member. A positioning member supports the light source holding member above the image bearing member to maintain a predetermined gap between the image bearing member and the light source device on the light source holding member. When seen from a light emitting point of the light source device, a position at which the positioning member supports the light source holding member is opposite the image bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Kensuke Masuda
  • Patent number: 8760484
    Abstract: An attachment mechanism of an optical scanner includes a supporting structure with an opening and a fixing member. The fixing member positions and fixes the optical scanner with a positioning boss held by the opening. The fixing member includes an annular part having an outer circumference face fitted in the opening and an internal circumference face fitted on the positioning boss. One of the internal circumference face and an outer circumference face of the positioning boss includes a projection and another includes a depression for insertion of the projection. A top face of the projection and/or a bottom face of the depression slope(s) slanted from the circumference. By inserting the positioning boss in the opening, fitting the annular part in the opening, and turning the fixing member to narrow a gap between the top face and bottom face, the optical scanner is fixed to the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masato Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 8754918
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes a housing, a light source, a polygon mirror, an optical device, and a holder. The housing includes a mounting portion. The light source projects light. The polygon mirror is enclosed within the housing and rotates to deflect the light projected from the light source. The optical device is disposed substantially near the polygon mirror. The holder is disposed within the housing and attached to the housing at the mounting portion, and holds the optical device in place. A distance L1 between a center of rotation of the polygon mirror and the optical device is shorter than a distance L2 between the center of rotation of the polygon mirror and the mounting portion. An image forming apparatus includes the optical scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Johno, Takeshi Yamakawa, Keiichi Serizawa, Kazunori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8755092
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an array substrate in which a plurality of point light sources is mounted along the main scanning direction, a light guide member disposed on a surface of the array substrate that mounts the plurality of point light sources, and guiding light from the plurality of point light sources to the document surface, a frame for fixing the light guide member and the array substrate, a positioning unit that determines the positional relationship of the frame with the light guide member and the array substrate in a configuration in which the incident surface of the light guide member is in proximity to or in contact with the plurality of point light sources; and an image reading unit that uses reflected light when illuminating light from the plurality of point light sources through the light guide member onto the document surface to thereby read the document image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8754919
    Abstract: An optical writing unit includes in a housing a light source projecting a light beam, a deflector to deflect the light beam projected from the light source, a focusing lens, and a lens adjusting device. The focusing lens is long in a main scanning direction and focuses the light beam onto a scan target. The lens adjusting device rotates the focusing lens about a substantially center portion thereof as a rotation fulcrum on a plane perpendicular to an optical path of the light beam so as to adjust the position of the light beam illuminating the scan target. The focusing lens has an asymmetric cross-section relative to a center line of the focusing lens in a direction of the optical path in a sub-scanning plane perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and the center of gravity of the focusing lens is offset from the center line toward the rotation fulcrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Sakaue, Noboru Kusunose, Tomoya Fujii
  • Patent number: 8749606
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes an optical element, an optical base, a height positioning boss, and a bonding portion. The optical element is positioned on the optical base. The height positioning boss is provided in at least one of the optical element and the optical base and positions the optical element with respect to vertical orientation. The bonding portion is provided in at least one of the optical element and the optical base. A longitudinally central portion of the optical element is bonded to the bonding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Todokoro Ryotaro
  • Patent number: 8743167
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source to project light, a light deflector to deflect light, an optical element, and a holder to hold an optical element in place. The holder includes a curve adjustment mechanism, a first pressing member, a second pressing member, and a retainer. The curve adjustment mechanism adjusts a shape of the optical element in a sub-scanning direction relative to a scanning surface and perpendicular to a main scanning direction. The first pressing member is disposed at a first side from which the first pressing member presses the optical element in the sub-scanning direction. The second pressing member is disposed at a second side opposite the first side, to press the optical element from the second side. The retainer fixes substantially a center of the optical element in a main scanning direction of the light striking the optical element to the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyo Makino, Sohichiroh Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8743168
    Abstract: If an open-close lid is opened to perform cleaning for wiping the dirt off reflection surfaces of a polygon mirror, a service staff has difficulty in cleaning the reflection surfaces of the polygon mirror since the polygon mirror is located inside a housing. To respond to such an issue, a positional relationship between an installation position of the polygon mirror and an opening is set such that at least one of the reflection surfaces of the polygon mirror is exposed to the outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiro Ishidate
  • Patent number: 8743170
    Abstract: A housing includes a base portion for installation of an optical beam emission unit, a light guiding unit, and a deflection unit, and a cover portion that includes an indented heat emission channel that transmits heat in an inner portion of the housing to a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Issei Nakano, Nobuhiro Fukuma, Jun Nakai
  • Patent number: 8736654
    Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a reflecting mechanism, a light receiving element and a restricting mechanism. The reflecting mechanism reflects a light beam such that the irradiation point of the light beam moves in a predetermined scanning direction. The light receiving element is arranged in a movement plane defined by the light beam reflected by the reflecting mechanism, and the light receiving element outputs a light reception signal for adjusting the irradiation timing of the light beam in accordance with reception of the light beam reflected by the reflecting mechanism. The restricting mechanism positions the light receiving element relative to the movement plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Issei Nakano, Hiroaki Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8736653
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a housing, a light source that emits light, a rotatable polygon mirror that receives the light from the light source while rotating and deflects the light by reflecting the light in a direction corresponding to an angle of rotation thereof, a scanning optical system that guides the light from the rotatable polygon mirror to a scanning object in such a manner as to repeatedly scan the scanning object with the light, and an intermediate member that is provided between an optical member included in the scanning optical system and the housing. The intermediate member is connected to the optical member with rubber adhesive and is also connected to the housing with the rubber adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiya Hisa, Toshiharu Orui, Tomoaki Sakita, Yuma Motegi
  • Patent number: 8730290
    Abstract: A light source includes a plurality of light-emitting units arranged in a two-dimensional array. An optical element changes divergence angles of laser beams from the light-emitting units. A splitting element splits a part of each of the laser beams passing through the optical element. A compensating element compensates for a fluctuation in the divergence angle of each of the laser beams incident on the splitting element due to a change of temperature. A light-receiving element receives laser beams split by the splitting element. The light source, the optical element, the splitting element, the compensating element, and the light-receiving element are integrally supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuaki Kubo