Patents by Inventor Junichi Yokoi
Junichi Yokoi 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: 11650518Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing configured to accommodate developer therein, the casing extending in the first direction; a coupling rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, the coupling being positioned at one side of the casing in the first direction; a detection gear rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the detection gear being positioned at another side of the casing in the first direction; and a storage medium including an electric contact surface, the electric contact surface being positioned at the one side of the casing in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2022Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi
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Publication number: 20230063451Abstract: In an image forming device, a controller converts continuous-tone image data to raster image data using a dither matrix. The continuous-tone image data includes pixels each has a tone value. The raster image data is binary image data corresponding to exposure areas. The dither matrix includes threshold values. The dither matrix is configured so that as an exposure area percentage of the raster image data increases, growth of the exposure area progresses according to a growth process including: a stage at which an exposure area extends in a predetermined screen direction from an isolated exposure area to connect with another isolated exposure area; and a stage at which after the isolated exposure area connects with another isolated exposure area, the exposure area extends in a crossing direction crossing the predetermined screen direction. The controller controls the exposure device to expose the photosensitive drum based on the raster image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaya TAKASU, Junichi YOKOI
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Publication number: 20230008509Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a photosensitive drum assembly, an exposure head, and a bearing, is provided. The photosensitive drum assembly includes a photosensitive drum and a flange disposed at an end of the photosensitive drum in an axial direction of an axis of the photosensitive drum. The flange contacts an inner surface of the photosensitive drum. The exposure head includes a plurality of light emitters aligned along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a lens array focusing light from the light emitters on the photosensitive drum, and a head frame to support the light emitters and the lens array. The bearing has a first contact face to contact the exposure head to define a distance between the lens array and the photosensitive drum along a direction of an optical axis of the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2022Publication date: January 12, 2023Inventors: Takamasa Tsukada, Junichi Yokoi
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Patent number: 11487216Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a photosensitive drum assembly, an exposure head, and a bearing, is provided. The photosensitive drum assembly includes a photosensitive drum and a flange disposed at an end of the photosensitive drum in an axial direction of an axis of the photosensitive drum. The flange contacts an inner surface of the photosensitive drum. The exposure head includes a plurality of light emitters aligned along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a lens array focusing light from the light emitters on the photosensitive drum, and a head frame to support the light emitters and the lens array. The bearing has a first contact face to contact the exposure head to define a distance between the lens array and the photosensitive drum along a direction of an optical axis of the light.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takamasa Tsukada, Junichi Yokoi
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Publication number: 20220300230Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a housing having an opening; a top cover configured to cover the opening; a short-range wireless communication circuit board attached to the top cover; a relay circuit board attached to the top cover; and a first wiring connecting the short-range wireless communication circuit board and the relay circuit board to each other. The short-range wireless communication circuit board includes: an antenna configured to transmit/receive radio waves; and a circuit electrically connected to the antenna. At least a part of the circuit and at least a part of the relay circuit board are overlapped with each other in an up-down direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Junichi YOKOI, Yohei HASHIMOTO
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Publication number: 20220253000Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing configured to accommodate developer therein, the casing extending in the first direction; a coupling rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, the coupling being positioned at one side of the casing in the first direction; a detection gear rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the detection gear being positioned at another side of the casing in the first direction; and a storage medium including an electric contact surface, the electric contact surface being positioned at the one side of the casing in the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao ITABASHI, Junichi Yokoi
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Patent number: 11385591Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a housing extending in a first direction; a developing roller; a memory held at the housing; a holder holding an electrical contact surface; and a relay component electrically connecting the memory to the electrical contact surface. The developing roller is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction. The developing roller is positioned at one end portion of the housing in a second direction. The holder is movable relative to the housing in at least one of the second direction and a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction. The third direction also crosses the electrical contact surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2021Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Junichi Yokoi
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Publication number: 20220197209Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing to accommodate developer; a storage medium including an electric contact surface; an elastic member extending in a first direction crossing the electric contact surface, and configured to be compressed or stretched in the first direction between a first state and a second state; and a holder including an outer surface positioned toward a side of the holder in the first direction, the electric contact surface positioned at the outer surface, and movable between first and second positions in the first direction relative to the casing. A length of the elastic member in the first direction is greater in the first state than in the second state. The electric contact surface is in the first position when the elastic member is in the first state, and the electric contact surface is in the second position when the elastic member is in the second state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2022Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi
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Publication number: 20220187756Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a main body casing, a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and an intermediate transfer belt. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a drum frame, and a first memory. The intermediate transfer belt is positioned above of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body casing. The drum frame includes a first end and a second end being apart from the first end in an up-down direction. The photosensitive drum is positioned at the first end. The first memory is positioned at the second end.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Junichi YOKOI, Nao ITABASHI
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Patent number: 11333993Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed which includes a housing, one or more drum cartridges, and one or more exposure heads. Each of the one or more drum cartridges includes a photoconductor drum and is installable in the housing. Each of the one or more exposure heads is configured to expose a corresponding photoconductor drum to light, and to be movable between an exposure position fit to expose the corresponding photoconductor drum to light and a retreated position away from the corresponding photoconductor drum. The housing has a groove through which to guide installation of the drum cartridge and in which to cause an exposure head in a corresponding exposure position to be located in place in a sub scanning direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2021Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Junichi Hiraoka, Hikaru Iino, Junichi Yokoi
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Publication number: 20220128931Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing configured to accommodate developer therein, the casing extending in the first direction; a coupling rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, the coupling being positioned at one side of the casing in the first direction; a detection gear rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the detection gear being positioned at another side of the casing in the first direction; and a storage medium including an electric contact surface, the electric contact surface being positioned at the one side of the casing in the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao ITABASHI, Junichi Yokoi
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Patent number: 11294325Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a main body casing, a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and an intermediate transfer belt. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a drum frame, and a first memory. The intermediate transfer belt is positioned above of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body casing. The drum frame includes a first end and a second end being apart from the first end in an up-down direction. The photosensitive drum is positioned at the first end. The first memory is positioned at the second end.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2021Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Junichi Yokoi, Nao Itabashi
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Patent number: 11275337Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing to accommodate developer; a storage medium including an electric contact surface; an elastic member extending in a first direction crossing the electric contact surface, and configured to be compressed or stretched in the first direction between a first state and a second state; and a holder including an outer surface positioned toward a side of the holder in the first direction, the electric contact surface positioned at the outer surface, and movable between first and second positions in the first direction relative to the casing. A length of the elastic member in the first direction is greater in the first state than in the second state. The electric contact surface is in the first position when the elastic member is in the first state, and the electric contact surface is in the second position when the elastic member is in the second state.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2021Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi
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Publication number: 20220050415Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing to accommodate developer; a storage medium including an electric contact surface; an elastic member extending in a first direction crossing the electric contact surface, and configured to be compressed or stretched in the first direction between a first state and a second state; and a holder including an outer surface positioned toward a side of the holder in the first direction, the electric contact surface positioned at the outer surface, and movable between first and second positions in the first direction relative to the casing. A length of the elastic member in the first direction is greater in the first state than in the second state. The electric contact surface is in the first position when the elastic member is in the first state, and the electric contact surface is in the second position when the elastic member is in the second state.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi
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Patent number: 11221567Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing configured to accommodate developer therein, the casing extending in the first direction; a coupling rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction, the coupling being positioned at one side of the casing in the first direction; a detection gear rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction, the detection gear being positioned at another side of the casing in the first direction; and a storage medium including an electric contact surface, the electric contact surface being positioned at the one side of the casing in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2020Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi
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Publication number: 20210325822Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a housing extending in a first direction; a developing roller; a memory held at the housing; a holder holding an electrical contact surface; and a relay component electrically connecting the memory to the electrical contact surface. The developing roller is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction. The developing roller is positioned at one end portion of the housing in a second direction. The holder is movable relative to the housing in at least one of the second direction and a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction. The third direction also crosses the electrical contact surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Junichi YOKOI
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Publication number: 20210311408Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed which includes a housing, one or more drum cartridges, and one or more exposure heads. Each of the one or more drum cartridges includes a photoconductor drum and is installable in the housing. Each of the one or more exposure heads is configured to expose a corresponding photoconductor drum to light, and to be movable between an exposure position fit to expose the corresponding photoconductor drum to light and a retreated position away from the corresponding photoconductor drum. The housing has a groove through which to guide installation of the drum cartridge and in which to cause an exposure head in a corresponding exposure position to be located in place in a sub scanning direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Junichi Hiraoka, Hikaru Iino, Junichi Yokoi
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Patent number: 11073786Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing to accommodate developer; a storage medium including an electric contact surface; an elastic member extending in a first direction crossing the electric contact surface, and configured to be compressed or stretched in the first direction between a first state and a second state; and a holder including an outer surface positioned toward a side of the holder in the first direction, the electric contact surface positioned at the outer surface, and movable between first and second positions in the first direction relative to the casing. A length of the elastic member in the first direction is greater in the first state than in the second state. The electric contact surface is in the first position when the elastic member is in the first state, and the electric contact surface is in the second position when the elastic member is in the second state.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Nao Itabashi, Junichi Yokoi
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Publication number: 20210223712Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a photosensitive drum assembly, an exposure head, and a bearing, is provided. The photosensitive drum assembly includes a photosensitive drum and a flange disposed at an end of the photosensitive drum in an axial direction of an axis of the photosensitive drum. The flange contacts an inner surface of the photosensitive drum. The exposure head includes a plurality of light emitters aligned along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a lens array focusing light from the light emitters on the photosensitive drum, and a head frame to support the light emitters and the lens array. The bearing has a first contact face to contact the exposure head to define a distance between the lens array and the photosensitive drum along a direction of an optical axis of the light.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Takamasa Tsukada, Junichi Yokoi
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Patent number: 11067944Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a housing extending in a first direction; a developing roller; a memory held at the housing; a holder holding an electrical contact surface; and a relay component electrically connecting the memory to the electrical contact surface. The developing roller is rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction. The developing roller is positioned at one end portion of the housing in a second direction. The holder is movable relative to the housing in at least one of the second direction and a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction. The third direction also crosses the electrical contact surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Junichi Yokoi