Patents by Inventor Atsushi Sugai

Atsushi Sugai 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: 11936829
    Abstract: An illuminating device, an image reading device, and an image forming apparatus. The illuminating device includes a plurality of first light sources arrayed on a circuit board, the first light sources having a plurality of first light emitting surfaces through which light is emitted, and a second light source disposed on an upstream side of the first light sources in an irradiation direction of the light. In the illuminating device, the second light source has a second light emitting surface through which light is emitted, and the second light source has a directivity angle different from a directivity angle of each one of the first light sources. The image reading device includes the illuminating device, and an imaging device to receive the light reflected by a document to capture an image of the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugai, Masamoto Nakazawa, Masahiro Itoh
  • Patent number: 11559835
    Abstract: A processing device processes a frame-shaped workpiece which extends in a prescribed extension direction, and includes, integrally, a plate-shaped web surface portion, a plate-shaped first flange portion that bends and extends from one end of the web surface portion, and a plate-shaped second flange portion which bends from the other end of the web surface portion and extends in the opposite direction to the first flange portion. The processing device includes a shaping device which conveys the workpiece in the extension direction, and an exit side pinch roll device provided further downstream, in the workpiece conveying flow direction, than the shaping device. The exit side pinch roll device includes a first roll which presses a central region of an upper surface side of the web surface portion, and a second roll which presses a central region of a lower surface side of the web surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugai, Satoshi Kamata, Suguru Kondo, Takeshi Yamada, Akira Kono
  • Publication number: 20230007140
    Abstract: An illuminating device, an image reading device, and an image forming apparatus. The illuminating device includes a plurality of first light sources arrayed on a circuit board, the first light sources having a plurality of first light emitting surfaces through which light is emitted, and a second light source disposed on an upstream side of the first light sources in an irradiation direction of the light. In the illuminating device, the second light source has a second light emitting surface through which light is emitted, and the second light source has a directivity angle different from a directivity angle of each one of the first light sources. The image reading device includes the illuminating device, and an imaging device to receive the light reflected by a document to capture an image of the document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi SUGAI, Masamoto NAKAZAWA, Masahiro ITOH
  • Patent number: 11509776
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source to emit at least light in a first wavelength range and light in a second wavelength range, a background member having different light reflectances in the first and second wavelength ranges, an imaging device, and circuitry. The imaging device receives reflected light from the background member irradiated with the light in the first wavelength range, and generates first read information. The imaging device further receives reflected light from the background member irradiated with the light in the second wavelength range, and generates second read information. The circuitry detects presence or absence of a first foreign substance based on a difference in reading level of the first read information generated by the imaging device; and detect presence or absence of a second foreign substance based on a difference in reading level of the second read information generated by the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Inukai, Atsushi Sugai
  • Publication number: 20210377396
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source to emit at least light in a first wavelength range and light in a second wavelength range, a background member having different light reflectances in the first and second wavelength ranges, an imaging device, and circuitry. The imaging device receives reflected light from the background member irradiated with the light in the first wavelength range, and generates first read information. The imaging device further receives reflected light from the background member irradiated with the light in the second wavelength range, and generates second read information. The circuitry detects presence or absence of a first foreign substance based on a difference in reading level of the first read information generated by the imaging device; and detect presence or absence of a second foreign substance based on a difference in reading level of the second read information generated by the imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Yoshihiro INUKAI, Atsushi SUGAI
  • Publication number: 20210291254
    Abstract: A processing device processes a frame-shaped workpiece which extends in a prescribed extension direction, and includes, integrally, a plate-shaped web surface portion, a plate-shaped first flange portion that bends and extends from one end of the web surface portion, and a plate-shaped second flange portion which bends from the other end of the web surface portion and extends in the opposite direction to the first flange portion. The processing device includes a shaping device which conveys the workpiece in the extension direction, and an exit side pinch roll device provided further downstream, in the workpiece conveying flow direction, than the shaping device. The exit side pinch roll device includes a first roll which presses a central region of an upper surface side of the web surface portion, and a second roll which presses a central region of a lower surface side of the web surface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Atsushi SUGAI, Satoshi KAMATA, Suguru KONDO, Takeshi YAMADA, Akira KONO
  • Patent number: 11007614
    Abstract: Provided is a workpiece retention device that retains a frame which includes a workpiece main body and a lip flange and a base flange that are provided to the workpiece main body, wherein: the workpiece retention device comprises a plurality of grippers that are aligned in the lengthwise direction of the frame, and a horizontal movement mechanism and a vertical movement mechanism that move the plurality of grippers; the gripper each include: a lower block, a workpiece support pin that is provided to the lower block and that supports the frame, an upper block that can move toward the base flange of the supported frame, a block movement mechanism that moves the upper block; and a suction mechanism that is provided to the upper block and that suctions the workpiece main body on the base flange side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugai, Shota Hosoi, Takashi Shibutani, Kengo Imaoka, Megumu Tsuruta
  • Publication number: 20200353522
    Abstract: A workpiece processing method includes: a section roll forming step of subjecting a flat plate shaped workpiece to forming to impart a prescribed cross-sectional shape thereto; a solution heat treatment step of subjecting the workpiece, after the section roll forming step has been performed, to solution heat treatment; a contour roll forming step of subjecting the workpiece, after the solution heat treatment step has been performed, to forming to bend the workpiece into an arcuate shape; and a stretch forming step of subjecting the workpiece, after the contour roll forming step has been performed, to forming to impart a curved shape, following a curved surface of a die, to the workpiece by bringing the workpiece into contact with the curved surface and inputting a tension load to the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Takeshi YAMADA, Akira KONO, Atsushi SUGAI, Yu MATSUNAGA, Takeshi HOSHINO, Shota HOSOI, Suguru KONDO, Satoshi KAMATA
  • Publication number: 20200108431
    Abstract: A stretch forming device includes a die and gripping portions gripping both end portions of an elongate material. The cross-sectional shape of the die has a curved shape bulging a central side of a forming surface; the length in a longitudinal direction of the elongate material is less than that of the forming surface; a second die having a second forming surface along the forming surface is installed removably on a central portion of the forming surface; and the stretch forming device has a first mode wherein, when the second die is installed on the forming surface, only the second die is pressed against the elongate material while a tensile force is applied to the elongate material, and a second mode wherein, when the second die is removed from the forming surface, the die is pressed against the elongate material while a tensile force is applied to the elongate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Takeshi YAMADA, Akira KONO, Atsushi SUGAI, Yu MATSUNAGA, Suguru KONDO, Satoshi KAMATA
  • Publication number: 20200009697
    Abstract: Provided is a workpiece retention device that retains a frame which includes a workpiece main body and a lip flange and a base flange that are provided to the workpiece main body, wherein: the workpiece retention device comprises a plurality of grippers that are aligned in the lengthwise direction of the frame, and a horizontal movement mechanism and a vertical movement mechanism that move the plurality of grippers; the gripper each include: a lower block, a workpiece support pin that is provided to the lower block and that supports the frame, an upper block that can move toward the base flange of the supported frame, a block movement mechanism that moves the upper block; and a suction mechanism that is provided to the upper block and that suctions the workpiece main body on the base flange side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Atsushi SUGAI, Shota HOSOI, Takashi SHIBUTANI, Kengo IMAOKA, Megumu TSURUTA
  • Patent number: 10033899
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a light source, a board, and a light guide. The light source emits light. The board mounts the light source on a mount surface perpendicular to a light emission surface of the light source. The light guide has an incident surface which the light emitted from the light source enters. The incident surface is opposed to the light emission surface. The light guide extends from the incident surface in a direction of the emitted light and is bent toward an irradiated surface of an irradiation target on a way of the light guide. The board is disposed such that an opposite surface of the board opposite the mount surface is opposed to the irradiated surface of the irradiation target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Ishida, Yoshiaki Nagao, Satoshi Narai, Atsushi Sugai, Masafumi Kishi, Makoto Noda
  • Patent number: 9757791
    Abstract: A plate-shaped workpiece forming method of post-machining a pocket (3) on a curved inner surface of a plate-shaped workpiece (2) in a state where the plate-shaped workpiece (2) curved by a curving machine (10) is spread flat. The method includes a curving step (A) of setting a net curve radius (R0) obtained by adding a curve radius contraction amount (R1) due to spring-in to a finished curve radius (R) of a plate-shaped workpiece (2), taking into account an amount of contraction of the curve radius of the plate-shaped workpiece (2) between before and after machining of a pocket (3) due to spring-in, and curving the plate-shaped workpiece (2) so as to achieve the net curve radius (R0); and a pocket machining step of post-machining the pocket (3) by flatly spreading the curved plate-shaped workpiece (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugai, Yu Matsunaga, Daisuke Ogura, Shoichi Morimoto, Minoru Arima, Yuichi Kaneda, Akihiko Egami
  • Patent number: 9742951
    Abstract: A lens unit includes a tube lens; a single lens arranged at a downstream side with respect to the tube lens in an optical incidence direction; and a supporting member that supports the tube lens and the single lens. Reflection light from a document is condensed on an image sensor by the tube lens and the single lens to form an image. An end surface part, not facing the tube lens, of the single lens is in direct contact with the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugai, Tsuyoshi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9674384
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a frame, an image reading unit, a guide, a biasing member, and an adjuster. The image reading unit reads, while moving in a predetermined direction, image information of a document placed on an exposure glass. The guide extends in the predetermined direction and is supported by the frame, to engage and guide the image reading unit to move the image reading unit in the predetermined direction. The biasing member biases the guide in a direction against a direction in which the guide bends due to weight of the guide and weight of the image reading unit. The adjuster adjusts a biasing force of the biasing member against the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Sugai
  • Publication number: 20170118363
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a frame, an image reading unit, a guide, a biasing member, and an adjuster. The image reading unit reads, while moving in a predetermined direction, image information of a document placed on an exposure glass. The guide extends in the predetermined direction and is supported by the frame, to engage and guide the image reading unit to move the image reading unit in the predetermined direction. The biasing member biases the guide in a direction against a direction in which the guide bends due to weight of the guide and weight of the image reading unit. The adjuster adjusts a biasing force of the biasing member against the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi SUGAI
  • Patent number: 9616479
    Abstract: Provided is a molding method for a plate-shaped workpiece including forming a concave portion (11) at one surface (1a) of a plate-shaped workpiece (1), and bending the plate-shaped workpiece (1) having the concave portion (11) such that the one surface (1a) becomes a concave surface and a rear surface (1b) thereof becomes a convex surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Ota, Daisuke Ogura, Atsushi Sugai, Ken Ishii
  • Publication number: 20160352955
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a light source, a board, and a light guide. The light source emits light. The board mounts the light source on a mount surface perpendicular to a light emission surface of the light source. The light guide has an incident surface which the light emitted from the light source enters. The incident surface is opposed to the light emission surface. The light guide extends from the incident surface in a direction of the emitted light and is bent toward an irradiated surface of an irradiation target on a way of the light guide. The board is disposed such that an opposite surface of the board opposite the mount surface is opposed to the irradiated surface of the irradiation target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi ISHIDA, Yoshiaki NAGAO, Satoshi NARAI, Atsushi SUGAI, Masafumi KISHI, Makoto NODA
  • Publication number: 20150365553
    Abstract: A lens unit includes a barrel lens; a single lens disposed downstream in a light incidence direction relative to the barrel lens, having a concave lens surface opposite the barrel lens, being an anisotropic lens in a main and sub-scanning directions, having a gradually increasing thickness from a center to lateral ends, and including fixed faces disposed on a side of the concave lens surface at both lateral ends in the longitudinal direction of a non-optical surface thereof; a single lens holder formed of lens holding parts to support the barrel lens, disposed between the barrel lens and the single lens, and including lens holding faces to be fixed to the fixed faces of the single lens; and an image sensor. The lens unit is configured such that reflected light from a document is focused on the image sensor via the barrel lens and the single lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi SUGAI, Yoshiaki NAGAO
  • Publication number: 20150131173
    Abstract: A lens unit includes a tube lens; a single lens arranged at a downstream side with respect to the tube lens in an optical incidence direction; and a supporting member that supports the tube lens and the single lens. Reflection light from a document is condensed on an image sensor by the tube lens and the single lens to form an image. An end surface part, not facing the tube lens, of the single lens is in direct contact with the supporting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Atsushi SUGAI, Tsuyoshi FUJIMOTO
  • Patent number: 8992651
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a filter whose initial collection efficiency can be increased and whose pressure loss increase can be suppressed. [Means to solve the problem] A ceramic filter includes: numerous crystalline masses bound to one another each formed of aggregation of columnar crystals, wherein a number of large diameter pores are present between the numerous crystalline masses, and small diameter pores are present between the numerous columnar crystals forming the crystalline mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugai, Hiroshi Yamaguchi