Patents by Inventor Junichi Hashimoto

Junichi Hashimoto 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).

  • Publication number: 20230375958
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, a developing memory having an electrical contact surface, an agitator, an agitator gear rotatable about an agitator axis together with the agitator, a holder holding the electrical contact surface, and a plate movable between a first position and a second position in a second direction crossing the first direction relative to the casing. The holder is movable relative to the casing in a third direction crossing the first and second directions between a retracted position and an advancing position. The holder is movable from the retracted position to the advancing position in response to a movement of the plate from the first position to the second position. The plate is positioned farther away from the developing roller than the agitator gear and the holder are in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya KAMIMURA, Tomitake ARATACHI, Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Saya MINOSHIMA, Nao ITABASHI, Kazutoshi NAKAMURA, Misato OSUKA, Junya SUMIDA, Shinya KUSUDA
  • Patent number: 11785855
    Abstract: A piezoelectric device that includes a film that has a first main surface and a second main surface, and has piezoelectricity; a first substrate; and a first connection member that connects the film to the first substrate. The first connection member is a thermosetting resin, and a curing temperature of the first connection member is lower than a temperature at which the film thermally contracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Endo, Junichi Hashimoto, Toru Tominaga, Shozo Otera
  • Publication number: 20230297022
    Abstract: A drum cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main frame of an image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum frame; and a drum contact. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in a first direction. A toner cartridge including a storage medium having an electrical contact surface is attachable to and detachable from the drum frame. In a state where the toner cartridge is attached to the drum frame, the drum contact is movable in the first direction between: a separated position in which the drum contact is positioned away from the electrical contact surface; and a contacting position in which the drum contact is in contact with the electrical contact surface. The drum contact moves from the separated position to the contacting position in accordance with attachment of the drum cartridge to the main frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen WANG, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Takuya AMAIKE, Masayoshi MITA
  • Publication number: 20230297006
    Abstract: A toner cartridge includes: a casing; a conveyer member rotatable about an axis; a shutter rotatable about the axis between a closed position and an open position; a toner coupling rotatable about the axis; a planet carrier rotatable about the axis with the toner coupling; a planetary gear rotatable about a pin of the planet carrier and rotatable about the axis in accordance with the rotation of the planet carrier; and a ring gear meshing with the planetary gear and rotatable about the axis with the shutter. When the shutter moves from the closed position to the open position, the planetary gear is not rotatable about the pin and is rotatable about the axis with the ring gear. In a state where the shutter is at the open position, the planetary gear is rotatable about the pin and is rotatable about the axis relative to the ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen WANG, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Takuya AMAIKE
  • Patent number: 11762312
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, a developing memory having an electrical contact surface, an agitator, an agitator gear rotatable about an agitator axis together with the agitator, a holder holding the electrical contact surface, and a plate movable between a first position and a second position in a second direction crossing the first direction relative to the casing. The holder is movable relative to the casing in a third direction crossing the first and second directions between a retracted position and an advancing position. The holder is movable from the retracted position to the advancing position in response to a movement of the plate from the first position to the second position. The plate is positioned farther away from the developing roller than the agitator gear and the holder are in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoya Kamimura, Tomitake Aratachi, Yasuo Fukamachi, Junichi Hashimoto, Saya Minoshima, Nao Itabashi, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Misato Osuka, Junya Sumida, Shinya Kusuda
  • Publication number: 20230280673
    Abstract: A developing roller is located nearer a first end than a second end in a first direction. A first boss extends in a second direction and is movable together with a housing. The first boss bears the weight of a developer cartridge when the first boss is supported by a support surface of a first side plate of a drum unit, and is located away from the developing roller in the first direction and the third direction. A first pressure receiving surface is located farther away from the developing roller than the first boss in the third direction. The pressure receiving member receives a pressing force in the third direction from a pressing member of the first side plate of the drum unit. The first boss is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by a first distance. The first pressure receiving surface is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by the first distance or by a second distance smaller than the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen WANG, Kazuaki OOKA, Isao KISHI, Junichi HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20230274942
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes placing a substrate having a to-be-processed layer on a stage within an etching chamber and supplying an etching gas into the etching chamber while keeping the stage at a first temperature to perform an etching treatment to etch the to-be-processed layer on the substrate by using a reactive ion etching method. After the etching treatment, and without exposing the substrate to the atmosphere, supplying an inert gas into the etching chamber while keeping the stage at a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature, to perform a high-temperature treatment to heat the to-be-processed layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroshi NAMBU, Junichi HASHIMOTO, Tsubasa IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20230244159
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a housing, a toner cartridge, and a drum unit. The drum unit is movable through the opening between an accommodated position where the drum unit is positioned in the housing and a pulled-out position where the drum unit is pulled out of the housing. The drum unit includes a photosensitive drum and a developing unit. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a second direction. The developing unit includes a magnetic roller, a developer container, a first auger and a second auger. The magnetic roller is positioned between the toner cartridge and the photosensitive drum. The magnetic roller faces a surface of the photosensitive drum. The developer container is formed with an inlet allowing the toner to be replenished from the toner cartridge. The first auger is positioned in the developer container. The second auger is positioned in the developer container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junichi HASHIMOTO, Yuwen WANG, Takuya AMAIKE, Soun KANADA, Kazuma HINOUE
  • Patent number: 11714378
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft; and a cam. The casing is configured to accommodate developer therein. The developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The shaft extends along a second axis extending in the axial direction. The shaft is movable along the second axis. The cam is movable along the second axis in response to axial movement of the shaft. The cam has a cam surface non-parallel with the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto, Isao Kishi, Kazuaki Ooka
  • Patent number: 11693331
    Abstract: A developing roller is located nearer a first end than a second end in a first direction. A first boss extends in a second direction and is movable together with a housing. The first boss bears the weight of a developer cartridge when the first boss is supported by a support surface of a first side plate of a drum unit, and is located away from the developing roller in the first direction and the third direction. A first pressure receiving surface is located farther away from the developing roller than the first boss in the third direction. The pressure receiving member receives a pressing force in the third direction from a pressing member of the first side plate of the drum unit. The first boss is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by a first distance. The first pressure receiving surface is located away from the developing roller in the first direction by the first distance or by a second distance smaller than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Kazuaki Ooka, Isao Kishi, Junichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11650522
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a housing, a toner cartridge, and a drum unit. The drum unit is movable through the opening between an accommodated position where the drum unit is positioned in the housing and a pulled-out position where the drum unit is pulled out of the housing. The drum unit includes a photosensitive drum and a developing unit. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a first axis extending in a second direction. The developing unit includes a magnetic roller, a developer container, a first auger and a second auger. The magnetic roller is positioned between the toner cartridge and the photosensitive drum. The magnetic roller faces a surface of the photosensitive drum. The developer container is formed with an inlet allowing the toner to be replenished from the toner cartridge. The first auger is positioned in the developer container. The second auger is positioned in the developer container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junichi Hashimoto, Yuwen Wang, Takuya Amaike, Soun Kanada, Kazuma Hinoue
  • Publication number: 20230136526
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing having an outer surface, a developing roller, a first electrode, and a boss. The developing roller is movable together with the casing and includes a developing roller shaft extending along a first axis extending in a first direction. The developing roller is rotatable about the first axis. The first electrode is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the developing roller shaft, and electrically connected to the developing roller shaft. The boss is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the outer surface. The boss extends in the first direction and is engageable with the drum unit. A part of the first electrode is configured to contact with a second electrode of the drum unit as a result of pivotal movement of the developing cartridge about the boss relative to the drum unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto, Isao Kishi, Kazuaki Ooka
  • Publication number: 20230134221
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft extending in a first direction; a first inclined surface; a second inclined surface; an elastic member; and a first protrusion. The shaft is movable in the first direction relative to the casing and the developing roller, and is movable in the second direction together with the same. The first inclined surface is positioned at one end portion of the shaft, while the second inclined surface is positioned at another end portion of the shaft. The first and second inclined surfaces are inclined relative to the first direction. The first protrusion is movable in the first direction together with the second inclined surface. The shaft is movable from a first position to a second position when the second inclined surface receives a pressing force directed in a direction from the another end portion to the one end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen WANG, Junichi HASHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 11630414
    Abstract: The developing cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller, and a first inclined surface. The first inclined surface is positioned at an outer surface of one end portion of the casing in the second direction. The first inclined surface is fixed to the casing and is inclined relative to the first direction. The first inclined surface is movable in the first direction relative to the photosensitive drum between a first position and a second position together with the casing and the developing roller in a state where the developing cartridge 1 is attached to a drum cartridge. In a state where the first inclined surface is at the first position, the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum. In a state where the first inclined surface is at the second position, the developing roller is in separation from the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junichi Hashimoto, Yuwen Wang
  • Publication number: 20230108945
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing, a developing roller, a first agitator, a supply roller, and a second agitator. The casing is configured to accommodate toner. The developing roller is rotatable about a developing roller rotation axis extending in a first direction. The first agitator is configured to agitate the toner. The first agitator is rotatable about a first agitator rotation axis extending in the first direction. The supply roller is positioned between the first agitator and the developing roller. The supply roller is rotatable about a supply roller rotation axis extending in the first direction. The second agitator is positioned between the supply roller and the first agitator. The second agitator is rotatable about a second agitator rotation axis extending in the first direction. A rotation locus of the second agitator is positioned outside of a rotation locus of the first agitator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuaki Ooka, Junichi Hashimoto, Shota Iriyama, Keigo Nakajima, Kengo Yada
  • Patent number: 11600764
    Abstract: A vibration structure that includes a film having a first electrode on a first main surface thereof, the first electrode defining a first connection region on the first main surface where the first electrode is not present, and the film is constructed to be deformed in a plane direction when a voltage is applied thereto; a frame-shaped member; a vibration portion surrounded by the frame-shaped member; a first connection member that connects the first main surface of the film to the frame-shaped member at the first connection region; a second connection member that connects the film to the vibration portion; and an extended electrode that is connected to the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Tominaga, Junichi Hashimoto, Jun Endo, Shozo Otera
  • Patent number: 11571713
    Abstract: A vibration structure that includes a film constructed to deform in a plane direction as voltage is applied thereto, a frame-shaped member, a vibration portion surrounded by the frame-shaped member in a plan view of the vibration structure, a support portion connecting the vibration portion and the frame-shaped member and supporting the vibration portion within the frame-shaped member, a first connection member that connects the film and the frame-shaped member, and a second connection member that connects the film to the vibration portion such that the vibration portion vibrates in the plane direction when the film is deformed in the plane direction. The support portion is disposed at a position closer to a center of gravity of the vibration portion than an end portion of the vibration portion when viewed in the plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Hashimoto, Shozo Otera, Jun Endo, Toru Tominaga
  • Patent number: 11573503
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing having an outer surface, a developing roller, a first electrode, and a boss. The developing roller is movable together with the casing and includes a developing roller shaft extending along a first axis extending in a first direction. The developing roller is rotatable about the first axis. The first electrode is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the developing roller shaft, and electrically connected to the developing roller shaft. The boss is positioned at one end portion in the first direction of the outer surface. The boss extends in the first direction and is engageable with the drum unit. A part of the first electrode is configured to contact with a second electrode of the drum unit as a result of pivotal movement of the developing cartridge about the boss relative to the drum unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto, Isao Kishi, Kazuaki Ooka
  • Patent number: 11550256
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft extending in a first direction; a first inclined surface; a second inclined surface; an elastic member; and a first protrusion. The shaft is movable in the first direction relative to the casing and the developing roller, and is movable in the second direction together with the same. The first inclined surface is positioned at one end portion of the shaft, while the second inclined surface is positioned at another end portion of the shaft. The first and second inclined surfaces are inclined relative to the first direction. The first protrusion is movable in the first direction together with the second inclined surface. The shaft is movable from a first position to a second position when the second inclined surface receives a pressing force directed in a direction from the another end portion to the one end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20230001451
    Abstract: A vibration structure is provided that includes a vibration member including a frame having a first opening, a vibrator disposed inside the first opening and having a second opening, and one or more supports that support the vibrator to the frame; and a piezoelectric member disposed inside the second opening and having a first end and a second end, and expanding and contracting in a first direction connecting the first end and the second end when voltage is applied. Moreover, a first part and a second part of a first connection member are provided that connect the first end of the piezoelectric member to the frame; and a first part and a second part of a second connection member are provided that connect the second end of the piezoelectric member to the vibrator. At least the first connection member is an elastic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventor: Junichi HASHIMOTO