Patents by Inventor Hiroshige Hiramatsu
Hiroshige Hiramatsu 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).
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Patent number: 10444657Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer-readable mediums are described for adjusting a charge voltage for a photosensitive member to account for accumulated charge quantity. In one example, currents related to charging a charger, which imparts a charge to a photosensitive member, are monitored. Based on the monitored currents, a new charging voltage may be determined and applied that accounts for accumulated charge quantity in the photosensitive member. A transfer current related to a transfer charge may also be monitored or a predetermined value used. The determination of the new charging voltage may be performed at various times.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kengo Yada, Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Shota Iriyama, Chieko Mimura, Hotaka Kakutani
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Publication number: 20190163085Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer-readable mediums are described for adjusting a charge voltage for a photosensitive member to account for accumulated charge quantity. In one example, currents related to charging a charger, which imparts a charge to a photosensitive member, are monitored. Based on the monitored currents, a new charging voltage may be determined and applied that accounts for accumulated charge quantity in the photosensitive member. A transfer current related to a transfer charge may also be monitored or a predetermined value used. The determination of the new charging voltage may be performed at various times.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Kengo Yada, Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Shota Iriyama, Chieko Mimura, Hotaka Kakutani
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Patent number: 10254678Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, the image bearing member has a surface and configured to rotate about an axis. The collection device is in contact with the surface, and configured to collect materials adhered to the surface. The developing roller is configured to provide a charged toner having a first polarity. The processor is configured to perform: executing a print job in a printing period; executing, in a non-printing period, a first process in which the image bearing member is rotated at least one rotation while a holding bias is applied to the collection device, the holding bias having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity; and executing, in a non-printing period after the first process, a second process in which the image bearing member is rotated while an ejection bias is applied to the collection device, the ejection bias having the first polarity.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuichi Matsushita, Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Chieko Mimura, Kengo Yada, Hotaka Kakutani, Shota Iriyama
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Patent number: 9952551Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, a scraper, and a controller. The controller performs an image formation process to form the developer image on the photosensitive member by using the developing device. The controller acquires, as a first value, at least one of a value of the charging current flowing in the charger and a value of the transferring current flowing in the transfer device. The controller calculates an accumulation current value by using result of an integral of a second value over time. The second value is an absolute value of the first value. The controller performs a scraping process in which the scraper scrapes the photosensitive member when the accumulation current value reaches a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shota Iriyama, Kengo Yada, Yuichi Matsushita, Chieko Mimura, Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Hotaka Kakutani
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Publication number: 20180088486Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, the image bearing member has a surface and configured to rotate about an axis. The collection device is in contact with the surface, and configured to collect materials adhered to the surface. The developing roller is configured to provide a charged toner having a first polarity. The processor is configured to perform: executing a print job in a printing period; executing, in a non-printing period, a first process in which the image bearing member is rotated at least one rotation while a holding bias is applied to the collection device, the holding bias having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity; and executing, in a non-printing period after the first process, a second process in which the image bearing member is rotated while an ejection bias is applied to the collection device, the ejection bias having the first polarity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Yuichi MATSUSHITA, Hiroshige HIRAMATSU, Chieko Mimura, Kengo YADA, Hotaka KAKUTANI, Shota Iriyama
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Patent number: 9829852Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a photoconductive member and a cleaning member arranged to face the photoconductive member at a cleaning position and configured to be applied with a cleaning bias to collect residual developing agent on the photoconductive member after the developed image is transferred. A controller of the image forming apparatus controls a transferring bias so that a transferring current representing a current flowing between the photoconductive member and a transferring member is controlled to become a target current value. Further, the controller calculates a cleaning position potential representing a surface potential of the photoconductive member at the facing position based on the transferring current and a charge potential representing a surface potential of the photoconductive member immediately after being charged by the charging device, and controls the cleaning bias based on the cleaning position potential as calculated.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Aya Adachi
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Publication number: 20170212467Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, a scraper, and a controller. The controller performs an image formation process to form the developer image on the photosensitive member by using the developing device. The controller acquires, as a first value, at least one of a value of the charging current flowing in the charger and a value of the transferring current flowing in the transfer device. The controller calculates an accumulation current value by using result of an integral of a second value over time. The second value is an absolute value of the first value. The controller performs a scraping process in which the scraper scrapes the photosensitive member when the accumulation current value reaches a threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: Shota IRIYAMA, Kengo YADA, Yuichi MATSUSHITA, Chieko MIMURA, Hiroshige HIRAMATSU, Hotaka KAKUTANI
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Patent number: 9541885Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a conveyance belt which conveys a recording sheet via a position opposing the image carrier, a belt cleaner which removes adhered matters on the conveyance belt, a driving unit which drives the image carrier and the conveyance belt, a bias applying unit which applies a cleaning bias to the belt cleaner, and a controller which controls the driving unit and the bias applying unit such that when the image carrier is driven at a first speed, the cleaning bias is applied to the belt cleaner, and when the image carrier is driven at a second speed slower than the first speed, the cleaning bias is not applied to the belt cleaner.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Hirotaka Mori, Mayu Okada, Masato Makino
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Patent number: 9477171Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to apply a charging bias to a charger during image formation on a photoconductive body, an absolute value of the charging bias being a first absolute value. The controller applies a development bias to a development roller during the image formation, places the development roller in a development position during the image formation, after the image formation, reduces the absolute value of the charging bias to a second absolute value less than the first absolute value, after reducing the absolute value of the charging bias, separates the development roller away from the photoconductive body and places the development roller in a non-development position, and after placing the development roller in the non-development position, stops applying the development bias to the development roller.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shunsuke Ishii, Toshio Furukawa, Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Yuichi Matsushita
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Publication number: 20160048091Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a controller configured to apply a charging bias to a charger during image formation on a photoconductive body, an absolute value of the charging bias being a first absolute value, apply a development bias to a development roller during the image formation, place the development roller in a development position during the image formation, after the image formation, reduce the absolute value of the charging bias to a second absolute value less than the first absolute value, after reducing the absolute value of the charging bias, separate the development roller away from the photoconductive body and place the development roller in a non-development position, and after placing the development roller in the non-development position, stop applying the development bias to the development roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Shunsuke Ishii, Toshio Furukawa, Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Yuichi Matsushita
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Patent number: 9128424Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier configured to carry thereon a developer image, an endless belt configured to be rotated while contacting the image carrier, a first cleaning roller having an outer surface made of semiconductor material and configured to electrically remove attachments attached on the endless belt, and a backup roller made of metal and arranged to oppose the first cleaning roller with the endless belt being interposed therebetween. The endless belt has a nip portion at which both the backup roller and the first cleaning roller contact the endless belt while opposing each other, and the first cleaning roller contacts the endless belt at a more upstream side than the nip portion in a moving direction of the endless belt.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2013Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Takamasa Tsukada
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Patent number: 9098051Abstract: A collection device including: an accommodation part configured to accommodate therein collected adhering substance; and a detection part configured to detect an amount of the adhering substance in the accommodation part and including, a moving member configured to move from a first position to a second position, the accommodation part being capable of accommodating therein the adhering substance when the moving member is arranged at the first position and being full of the adhering substance when the moving member is in the second position, and a restraining member configured to restrain the moving member from moving from the first position to the second position when the moving member is arranged at the first position, and restrain the moving member from moving from the second position to the first position when the moving member is arranged at the second position.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mayu Wakamatsu, Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Yoshiyuki Okazaki, Masamitsu Takahashi, Takamasa Tsukada
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Patent number: 9086673Abstract: A collection device including: an accommodation part configured to accommodate therein collected adhering substance; and a detection part configured to detect an amount of the adhering substance in the accommodation part and including, a moving member configured to move from a first position to a second position, the accommodation part being capable of accommodating therein the adhering substance when the moving member is arranged at the first position and being full of the adhering substance when the moving member is in the second position, and a restraining member configured to restrain the moving member from moving from the first position to the second position when the moving member is arranged at the first position, and restrain the moving member from moving from the second position to the first position when the moving member is arranged at the second position.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mayu Wakamatsu, Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Yoshiyuki Okazaki, Masamitsu Takahashi, Takamasa Tsukada
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Publication number: 20150177675Abstract: A collection device including: an accommodation part configured to accommodate therein collected adhering substance; and a detection part configured to detect an amount of the adhering substance in the accommodation part and including, a moving member configured to move from a first position to a second position, the accommodation part being capable of accommodating therein the adhering substance when the moving member is arranged at the first position and being full of the adhering substance when the moving member is in the second position, and a restraining member configured to restrain the moving member from moving from the first position to the second position when the moving member is arranged at the first position, and restrain the moving member from moving from the second position to the first position when the moving member is arranged at the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2015Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Mayu Wakamatsu, Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Yoshiyuki Okazaki, Masamitsu Takahashi, Takamasa Tsukada
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Patent number: 8971736Abstract: A collection device including: an accommodation part configured to accommodate therein collected adhering substance; and a detection part configured to detect an amount of the adhering substance in the accommodation part and including, a moving member configured to move from a first position to a second position, the accommodation part being capable of accommodating therein the adhering substance when the moving member is arranged at the first position and being full of the adhering substance when the moving member is in the second position, and a restraining member configured to restrain the moving member from moving from the first position to the second position when the moving member is arranged at the first position, and restrain the moving member from moving from the second position to the first position when the moving member is arranged at the second position.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mayu Wakamatsu, Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Yoshiyuki Okazaki, Masamitsu Takahashi, Takamasa Tsukada
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Patent number: 8965231Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: an image carrier; a holding member that contacts with the image carrier and is configured to carry adhering substance received from the image carrier; a belt that contacts with the image carrier; a collection member that contacts with the belt and is configured to collect adhering substance adhered on the belt; and a control device configured to apply a bias to the collection member, detect an electric resistance of the collection member, and control the bias that is applied to the collection member based on the detected electric resistance of the collection member so that the electric resistance of the collection member is converged within a predetermined range, when a cleaning operation of collecting the adhering substance adhered on the holding member from the holding member to the collection member is not performed.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mayu Wakamatsu, Hiroshige Hiramatsu
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Publication number: 20140376962Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier configured to carry thereon a developer image, an endless belt configured to be rotated while contacting the image carrier, a first cleaning roller having an outer surface made of semiconductor material and configured to electrically remove attachments attached on the endless belt, and a backup roller made of metal and arranged to oppose the first cleaning roller with the endless belt being interposed therebetween. The endless belt has a nip portion at which both the backup roller and the first cleaning roller contact the endless belt while opposing each other, and the first cleaning roller contacts the endless belt at a more upstream side than the nip portion in a moving direction of the endless belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Takamasa Tsukada
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Publication number: 20140314430Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a photoconductive member and a cleaning member arranged to face the photoconductive member at a cleaning position and configured be applied with a cleaning bias to collect the developing agent residual on the photoconductive member after the developed image is transferred. A controller of the image forming apparatus controls a transferring bias so that a transferring current representing a current flowing between the photoconductive member and a transferring member is controlled to become a target current value. Further, the controller calculates a cleaning position potential representing a surface potential of the photoconductive member at the facing position based on the transferring current and a charge potential representing a surface potential of the photoconductive member immediately after charged by the charging device, and controls the cleaning bias based on the cleaning position potential as calculated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Aya Adachi
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Publication number: 20140248065Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a conveyance belt which conveys a recording sheet via a position opposing the image carrier, a belt cleaner which removes adhered matters on the conveyance belt, a driving unit which drives the image carrier and the conveyance belt, a bias applying unit which applies a cleaning bias to the belt cleaner, and a controller which controls the driving unit and the bias applying unit such that when the image carrier is driven at a first speed, the cleaning bias is applied to the belt cleaner, and when the image carrier is driven at a second speed slower than the first speed, the cleaning bias is not applied to the belt cleaner.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshige HIRAMATSU, Hirotaka MORI, Mayu OKADA, Masato MAKINO
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Patent number: 8731425Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a conveyance belt which conveys a recording sheet via a position opposing the image carrier, a belt cleaner which removes adhered matters on the conveyance belt, a driving unit which drives the image carrier and the conveyance belt, a bias applying unit which applies a cleaning bias to the belt cleaner, and a controller which controls the driving unit and the bias applying unit such that when the image carrier is driven at a first speed, the cleaning bias is applied to the belt cleaner, and when the image carrier is driven at a second speed slower than the first speed, the cleaning bias is not applied to the belt cleaner.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshige Hiramatsu, Hirotaka Mori, Mayu Okada, Masato Makino