Patents by Inventor Fumito NAKAMOTO

Fumito NAKAMOTO 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: 11886137
    Abstract: A fixing device (50) includes a fixing belt (70), a pressure member (80), and a heating section (90). The heating section (90) faces an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt (70). The heating section (90) includes a heater (HT), a first heat sensitive body (SM11), and a second heat sensitive body (SM21). The second heat sensitive body (SM21) differs from the first heat sensitive body (SM11). The heater (HT) has a first heater portion (AE1). The first heater portion (AE1) is one end portion of a pair of end portions of the heater (HT) in a longitudinal direction thereof. The first heat sensitive body (SM11) and the second heat sensitive body (SM21) face the first heater portion (AE1) and are aligned in a conveyance direction (DC) of a sheet (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Fumito Nakamoto, Masakazu Uehara, Hironori Takahashi, Tomohiro Watatani, Yuhiro Sakai
  • Patent number: 11809110
    Abstract: A fixing member is supported so as to be displaceable in a crossing direction that crosses a sheet conveying direction. A pressure member rotationally drives the fixing member by being rotationally driven. A motor rotationally drives the pressure member. A biasing mechanism elastically biases the fixing member toward the pressure member. A sheet detection portion detects a sheet at a first position and a second position. The first position is a position between a mechanism that feeds the sheet to a fixing position and the fixing position in the conveyance path. The second position is a position between the fixing position and a mechanism that takes over conveyance of the sheet from the fixing device. A control device times a time required for detection results from the sheet detection portion to show a predetermined change, and controls a rotational speed of the motor according to the timed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Junta Maenishi, Fumito Nakamoto, Hirotaka Ishida, Son Rai
  • Patent number: 11703797
    Abstract: A first guide member guides a sheet from a sending roller pair to a discharge port. A second guide member is disposed above the first guide member such that an upstream end of the second guide member in a sheet discharge direction overlaps the first guide member, and forms an upper partition of a discharge path in an area extending from a position above an end of the first guide member to a position of a discharge roller pair. The second guide member guides the sheet to the discharge roller pair. A cooling fan blows air from below the discharge path toward a lower surface of the second guide member. The lower surface of the second guide member is formed convexly curved upward when viewed in a width direction intersecting the sheet discharge direction. The lower surface of the second guide member guides air toward the first guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Fumito Nakamoto
  • Publication number: 20220413418
    Abstract: A fixing member is supported so as to be displaceable in a crossing direction that crosses a sheet conveying direction. A pressure member rotationally drives the fixing member by being rotationally driven. A motor rotationally drives the pressure member. A biasing mechanism elastically biases the fixing member toward the pressure member. A sheet detection portion detects a sheet at a first position and a second position. The first position is a position between a mechanism that feeds the sheet to a fixing position and the fixing position in the conveyance path. The second position is a position between the fixing position and a mechanism that takes over conveyance of the sheet from the fixing device. A control device times a time required for detection results from the sheet detection portion to show a predetermined change, and controls a rotational speed of the motor according to the timed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Junta Maenishi, Fumito Nakamoto, Hirotaka Ishida, Son Rai
  • Publication number: 20220404762
    Abstract: A first guide member guides a sheet from a sending roller pair to a discharge port. A second guide member is disposed above the first guide member such that an upstream end of the second guide member in a sheet discharge direction overlaps the first guide member, and forms an upper partition of a discharge path in an area extending from a position above an end of the first guide member to a position of a discharge roller pair. The second guide member guides the sheet to the discharge roller pair. A cooling fan blows air from below the discharge path toward a lower surface of the second guide member. The lower surface of the second guide member is formed convexly curved upward when viewed in a width direction intersecting the sheet discharge direction. The lower surface of the second guide member guides air toward the first guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventor: Fumito Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 11507004
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heater, a heater holding member, a stay sheet-metal, and a belt holding member. The stay sheet-metal includes a top plate and side plates and is configured to control a load applied to the heater holding member, the side plates extending respectively from opposite sides of the top plate in a short-length direction of the top plate, toward the heater holding member. The belt holding member holds the fixing belt such that the fixing belt can peripherally rotate, the belt holding member holding at least one end of the heater holding member in a longitudinal direction thereof and at least one end of the stay sheet-metal in a longitudinal direction thereof. The top plate of the stay sheet-metal is formed to extend to at least one end of the stay sheet-metal in the longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masakazu Uehara, Tomohiro Watatani, Yuhiro Sakai, Fumito Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 11500316
    Abstract: A heater holding member circulatably guides a fixing belt and holds a heater that heats the fixing belt. A stay sheet metal reinforces the heater holding member. The heater holding member has a base plate and side walls. The stay sheet metal is placed on the base plate. A side wall is erected on either side of the base plate in a short direction thereof. A pocket which keeps the stay sheet metal is formed in each side wall. The stay sheet metal has a top plate and side plates. A side plate bends and extends from either edge of the top plate in a short direction thereof. A slit is formed in each side plate such that the side plates are kept in the pockets of the heater holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masakazu Uehara, Tomohiro Watatani, Yuhiro Sakai, Fumito Nakamoto
  • Publication number: 20220350282
    Abstract: A fixing device (50) includes a fixing belt (70), a pressure member (80), and a heating section (90). The heating section (90) faces an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt (70). The heating section (90) includes a heater (HT), a first heat sensitive body (SM11), and a second heat sensitive body (SM21). The second heat sensitive body (SM21) differs from the first heat sensitive body (SM11). The heater (HT) has a first heater portion (AE1). The first heater portion (AE1) is one end portion of a pair of end portions of the heater (HT) in a longitudinal direction thereof. The first heat sensitive body (SM11) and the second heat sensitive body (SM21) face the first heater portion (AE1) and are aligned in a conveyance direction (DC) of a sheet (S).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Fumito NAKAMOTO, Masakazu UEHARA, Hironori TAKAHASHI, Tomohiro WATATANI, Yuhiro SAKAI
  • Patent number: 11474463
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressure applying member, and a heater holding member. The fixing belt fixes toner to a sheet. The pressure applying member forms a nip portion together with an outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt and causes the fixing belt to peripherally rotate while applying pressure to the fixing belt at the nip portion. The heater holding member holds a heater that applies heat to the fixing belt. The heater holding member includes: a side portion that extends from the nip portion along an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt and guides the fixing belt; and a plurality of inclined ribs that are disposed on the side portion to face the inner peripheral surface and formed such that an interval between them is gradually narrowed as they proceed in a direction in which the fixing belt peripherally rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Fumito Nakamoto, Masakazu Uehara, Tomohiro Watatani, Yuhiro Sakai
  • Patent number: 11422494
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a heater holding member, and a belt holding member. The fixing belt fixes a toner image to a sheet by heating the sheet. The heater holding member guides the fixing belt such that the fixing belt can peripherally rotate. The heater holding member holds a heater that heats the fixing belt. The belt holding member is fixed in position with respect to a conveyance path of the sheet and holds an end portion of the fixing belt in a rotation axis direction of the fixing belt such that the fixing belt can peripherally rotate. The belt holding member includes an engaging portion. The heater holding member includes an engaged portion that is engaged with the engaging portion to restrict a movement of the belt holding member with respect to the heater holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhiro Sakai, Masakazu Uehara, Tomohiro Watatani, Fumito Nakamoto
  • Publication number: 20210382424
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressure applying member, and a heater holding member. The fixing belt fixes toner to a sheet. The pressure applying member forms a nip portion together with an outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt and causes the fixing belt to peripherally rotate while applying pressure to the fixing belt at the nip portion. The heater holding member holds a heater that applies heat to the fixing belt. The heater holding member includes: a side portion that extends from the nip portion along an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt and guides the fixing belt; and a plurality of inclined ribs that are disposed on the side portion to face the inner peripheral surface and formed such that an interval between them is gradually narrowed as they proceed in a direction in which the fixing belt peripherally rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Fumito Nakamoto, Masakazu Uehara, Tomohiro Watatani, Yuhiro Sakai
  • Publication number: 20210382425
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressure applying member, and a heater holding member. The fixing belt fixes a toner image to a sheet. The pressure applying member forms a nip portion together with an outer peripheral surface of the fixing belt. The heater holding member holds a heater that applies heat to the fixing belt. The heater holding member includes a side portion and a rib. The side portion extends from the nip portion along an inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt and guides the fixing belt. The rib stands on the side portion and extends from a fixing belt conveyance direction downstream end of the nip portion where the fixing belt and the heater holding member are in contact with each other, toward a downstream in a peripheral rotation direction of the fixing belt, and guides the fixing belt to peripherally rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Fumito Nakamoto, Masakazu Uehara, Tomohiro Watatani, Yuhiro Sakai
  • Publication number: 20210364960
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heater, a heater holding member, a stay sheet-metal, and a belt holding member. The stay sheet-metal includes a top plate and side plates and is configured to control a load applied to the heater holding member, the side plates extending respectively from opposite sides of the top plate in a short-length direction of the top plate, toward the heater holding member. The belt holding member holds the fixing belt such that the fixing belt can peripherally rotate, the belt holding member holding at least one end of the heater holding member in a longitudinal direction thereof and at least one end of the stay sheet-metal in a longitudinal direction thereof. The top plate of the stay sheet-metal is formed to extend to at least one end of the stay sheet-metal in the longitudinal direction thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Masakazu Uehara, Tomohiro Watatani, Yuhiro Sakai, Fumito Nakamoto
  • Publication number: 20210364961
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a heater holding member, and a belt holding member. The fixing belt fixes a toner image to a sheet by heating the sheet. The heater holding member guides the fixing belt such that the fixing belt can peripherally rotate. The heater holding member holds a heater that heats the fixing belt. The belt holding member is fixed in position with respect to a conveyance path of the sheet and holds an end portion of the fixing belt in a rotation axis direction of the fixing belt such that the fixing belt can peripherally rotate. The belt holding member includes an engaging portion. The heater holding member includes an engaged portion that is engaged with the engaging portion to restrict a movement of the belt holding member with respect to the heater holding member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Yuhiro Sakai, Masakazu Uehara, Tomohiro Watatani, Fumito Nakamoto
  • Publication number: 20210341861
    Abstract: A heater holding member circulatably guides a fixing belt and holds a heater that heats the fixing belt. A stay sheet metal reinforces the heater holding member. The heater holding member has a base plate and side walls. The stay sheet metal is placed on the base plate. A side wall is erected on either side of the base plate in a short direction thereof. A pocket which keeps the stay sheet metal is formed in each side wall. The stay sheet metal has a top plate and side plates. A side plate bends and extends from either edge of the top plate in a short direction thereof. A slit is formed in each side plate such that the side plates are kept in the pockets of the heater holding member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masakazu UEHARA, Tomohiro WATATANI, Yuhiro SAKAI, Fumito NAKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 11126119
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressure member, a first holding member, and a second holding member. The fixing belt is endless and includes a first rim and a second rim. The pressure member presses the fixing belt by being in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the fixing belt and rotates about a rotation axis of the pressure member. The first holding member is attached to the fixing belt and holds the first rim of the fixing belt. The second holding member is attached to the fixing belt and holds the second rim of the fixing belt. The second holding member includes a base portion, a main portion, and a protrusion. The main portion protrudes from the base portion. The protrusion protrudes from the main portion in a direction away from the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hironori Takahashi, Masakazu Uehara, Tomohiro Watatani, Yuhiro Sakai, Fumito Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 11126120
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating section. The heating section includes a heater, a heater holding member, a heat-sensitive body, a cover member, and an urging member. The heater holding member holds the heater. The heat-sensitive body faces the heater. The cover member covers the heat-sensitive body. The urging member urges the cover member in a first direction which is toward the heater from the heat-sensitive body. The urging member extends in a second direction intersecting with the first direction and engages with the heater holding member and the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hironori Takahashi, Masakazu Uehara, Tomohiro Watatani, Yuhiro Sakai, Fumito Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 10990046
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a pressure member, and a heating section. The heating section faces an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt. The heating section includes a heater and a heater holding member. The heater heats the fixing belt. The heater holding member holds the heater. The heater holding member has a first side surface, a second side surface, and an inclined slit. The first and second side surfaces are in contact with the inner circumferential surface. The first side surface has the inclined slit. The inclined slit is located in the first side surface in a direction of a rotational axis of the fixing belt. The inclined slit has one end on a side of the pressure member and the other end on an opposite side to the side of the pressure member. The other end is located nearer a middle (center) of the first side surface in the direction of the rotational axis than the one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Watatani, Masakazu Uehara, Hironori Takahashi, Yuhiro Sakai, Fumito Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 10969718
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt and a heating section. The heating section faces an inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt. The heating section includes a heater, a heater holding member, a reinforcing member, and at least one rotor. The heater heats the fixing belt. The heater holding member holds the heater. The reinforcing member reinforces the heater holding member. The at least one rotor faces the inner circumferential surface of the fixing belt. The at least one rotor is attached to the reinforcing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Watatani, Masakazu Uehara, Hironori Takahashi, Yuhiro Sakai, Fumito Nakamoto
  • Publication number: 20210063929
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating section. The heating section includes a heater, a heater holding member, a heat-sensitive body, a cover member, and an urging member. The heater holding member holds the heater. The heat-sensitive body faces the heater. The cover member covers the heat-sensitive body. The urging member urges the cover member in a first direction which is toward the heater from the heat-sensitive body. The urging member extends in a second direction intersecting with the first direction and engages with the heater holding member and the cover member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Hironori TAKAHASHI, Masakazu UEHARA, Tomohiro WATATANI, Yuhiro SAKAI, Fumito NAKAMOTO