Patents by Inventor Hideaki Ohhara

Hideaki Ohhara 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: 8655248
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a magnetic-field-producing member producing an alternating-current magnetic field, a fixing belt that is heated by electromagnetic induction caused by the alternating-current magnetic field and fixes toner on a recording material, and a pressure applying member pressed against the fixing belt and forming a press-fixing part therebetween through which the recording material having an unfixed image is transported. The fixing belt includes a metal body that is a stack of at least three layers including a base layer and a protective layer both made of metal, and a conductive layer provided between the base layer and the protective layer and to be heated by electromagnetic induction. In a section of the fixing belt taken in a thickness direction, the metal body has its neutral axis on a side of the protective layer with respect to a thickness center line thereof and in the protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nakao, Hideaki Ohhara, Motofumi Baba
  • Patent number: 8498563
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member that has a conductive layer capable of being heated by electromagnetic induction and fixes an image to the recording material; a magnetic-field generator that generates an alternating magnetic field intersecting with the conductive layer of the fixing member; a heating member that is at least partly separated from the fixing member and is heated; and a deformable member that is deformed when receiving heat and moves the heating member toward the fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motofumi Baba, Hideaki Ohhara, Masayoshi Nakao, Yasunori Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20120251205
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a magnetic-field-producing member producing an alternating-current magnetic field, a fixing belt that is heated by electromagnetic induction caused by the alternating-current magnetic field and fixes toner on a recording material, and a pressure applying member pressed against the fixing belt and forming a press-fixing part therebetween through which the recording material having an unfixed image is transported. The fixing belt includes a metal body that is a stack of at least three layers including a base layer and a protective layer both made of metal, and a conductive layer provided between the base layer and the protective layer and to be heated by electromagnetic induction. In a section of the fixing belt taken in a thickness direction, the metal body has its neutral axis on a side of the protective layer with respect to a thickness center line thereof and in the protective layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayoshi NAKAO, Hideaki OHHARA, Motofumi BABA
  • Publication number: 20120224895
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member that has a conductive layer capable of being heated by electromagnetic induction and fixes an image to the recording material; a magnetic-field generator that generates an alternating magnetic field intersecting with the conductive layer of the fixing member; a heating member that is at least partly separated from the fixing member and is heated; and a deformable member that is deformed when receiving heat and moves the heating member toward the fixing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motofumi BABA, Hideaki OHHARA, Masayoshi NAKAO, Yasunori FUJIMOTO
  • Patent number: 7747195
    Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a toner image onto a recording medium, includes: a belt member rotatably provided; a heating section that heats the belt member; a pressurization member, placed so as to be pressed against the belt member, that forms a nip portion to allow the recording medium to pass through between the pressurization member and the belt member; and an uniforming section that uniforms a temperature distribution in a longitudinal direction of the pressurization member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Yoshino, Hideaki Ohhara, Kazuyoshi Itoh, Yasutaka Naito
  • Patent number: 7623818
    Abstract: A belt fixing device includes an endless belt member, an excitation coil and a deterioration detection unit. The endless belt member includes a metal layer. The excitation coil heats the metal layer by electromagnetic induction. The deterioration detection unit detects deterioration of the metal layer of the belt member through the excitation coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Ohhara, Yasutaka Naito, Kazuyoshi Itoh
  • Patent number: 7558521
    Abstract: A roller includes: a columnar metal core; and a layer that covers, to a predetermined thickness, an outer circumferential surface of the metal core, the layer including bubbles inside, and being provided with one or more cuts penetrating the bubbles through each of end surfaces of the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Ohhara, Motofumi Baba, Yasutaka Naito, Yasuhiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 7382995
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image on a recording material includes: a heating member having a conductive layer, that is rotatably provided; a pressure member that is rotatably provided and that is brought into press-contact with the heating member, thereby forms a fixing nip part to pass the recording material between the pressure member and the heating member; a heating unit that performs induction heating on the heating member via the conductive layer; a driving unit that rotates the heating member; and an attachment/separation unit that attaches or separates the heating member to/from the pressure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Itoh, Yasutaka Naito, Motofumi Baba, Hideaki Ohhara
  • Publication number: 20080031663
    Abstract: A roller includes: a columnar metal core; and a layer that covers, to a predetermined thickness, an outer circumferential surface of the metal core, the layer including bubbles inside, and being provided with one or more cuts penetrating the bubbles through each of end surfaces of the layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Hideaki Ohhara, Motofumi Baba, Yasutaka Naito, Yasuhiro Uehara
  • Publication number: 20070242990
    Abstract: A belt fixing device includes an endless belt member, an excitation coil and a deterioration detection unit. The endless belt member includes a metal layer. The excitation coil heats the metal layer by electromagnetic induction. The deterioration detection unit detects deterioration of the metal layer of the belt member through the excitation coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Hideaki Ohhara, Yasutaka Naito, Kazuyoshi Itoh
  • Publication number: 20070166084
    Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a toner image onto a recording medium, includes: a belt member rotatably provided; a heating section that heats the belt member; a pressurization member, placed so as to be pressed against the belt member, that forms a nip portion to allow the recording medium to pass through between the pressurization member and the belt member; and an uniforming section that uniforms a temperature distribution in a longitudinal direction of the pressurization member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Daisuke Yoshino, Hideaki Ohhara, Kazuyoshi Itoh, Yasutaka Naito
  • Patent number: 7233764
    Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixing belt member configured to be endless and rotatable; driving force transmission members that are disposed on respective ends of the fixing belt member, and transmits a rotational driving force to the fixing belt member; and a pressing member that is disposed to push an outer surface of the fixing belt member and forms a fixing nip part between the pressing member and the fixing belt member, wherein each of the driving force transmission members is fixed to the fixing belt member over an entire peripheral area of the corresponding end of the fixing belt member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Naito, Hideaki Ohhara, Yasuhiro Uehara
  • Publication number: 20070047991
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus for fixing an unfixed image on a recording material includes: a heating member having a conductive layer, that is rotatably provided; a pressure member that is rotatably provided and that is brought into press-contact with the heating member, thereby forms a fixing nip part to pass the recording material between the pressure member and the heating member; a heating unit that performs induction heating on the heating member via the conductive layer; a driving unit that rotates the heating member; and an attachment/separation unit that attaches or separates the heating member to/from the pressure member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Itoh, Yasutaka Naito, Motofumi Baba, Hideaki Ohhara
  • Publication number: 20060182474
    Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixing belt member configured to be endless and rotatable; driving force transmission members that are disposed on respective ends of the fixing belt member, and transmits a rotational driving force to the fixing belt member; and a pressing member that is disposed to push an outer surface of the fixing belt member and forms a fixing nip part between the pressing member and the fixing belt member, wherein each of the driving force transmission members is fixed to the fixing belt member over an entire peripheral area of the corresponding end of the fixing belt member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Yasutaka Naito, Hideaki Ohhara, Yasuhiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 7054589
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fixing belt including a substrate having provided thereon at least a metal heating layer and a releasing layer, wherein at least a protective layer is provided between the metal heating layer and the releasing layer, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electromagnetic induction heat-fixing device using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Okayasu, Hitoshi Okazaki, Makoto Omata, Shigeo Ohta, Hideaki Ohhara, Yasutaka Naito
  • Publication number: 20040136762
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fixing belt including a substrate having provided thereon at least a metal heating layer and a releasing layer, wherein at least a protective layer is provided between the metal heating layer and the releasing layer, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electromagnetic induction heat-fixing device using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD
    Inventors: Takahiro Okayasu, Hitoshi Okazaki, Makoto Omata, Shigeo Ohta, Hideaki Ohhara, Yasutaka Naito