Patents by Inventor Junya Sumida

Junya Sumida 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: 12769247
    Abstract: The developing cartridge includes a housing, a developing roller, a memory, a holder, and a cover, the developing roller rotates about a developing axis extending in a first direction, and the holder holds the electrical contact surface. The housing has a first boss extending in the first direction toward the cover, and a screw for attaching the cover to the housing is fastened to the first boss. The holder has a hole extending in the first direction, and the first boss is inserted into the hole. Thus, the first boss has a function of receiving a screw for attaching the cover to the housing and a function of holding the holder. This can reduce the number of parts of the developing cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2025
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2026
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuji Noda, Junya Sumida, Ryosuke Hayashi, Yasuo Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 12769230
    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: December 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2026
    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
  • Patent number: 12754494
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a housing, a developing roller, a gear, a memory, and a holder. The developing roller rotates about a developing shaft extending in the first direction. The memory has an electrical contact surface. The holder holds the electrical contact surface. The holder is movable with respect to the housing. The holder has a first end and a second end that is separated from the first end in the second direction. The second end and the gear are arranged in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2025
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2026
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuji Noda, Junya Sumida, Ryosuke Hayashi, Yasuo Fukamachi
  • Publication number: 20260299463
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a housing having a first outer surface in the first direction; a coupling; a gear; a cover covering the gear; and a memory having an electrical contact surface. The coupling, gear, and cover are positioned at the first outer surface. The gear and the electrical contact surface are positioned in the first direction between the first outer surface and an end of the coupling that is exposed through the cover. The gear is positioned between the developing roller and the electrical contact surface in a second direction crossing the electrical contact surface. The cover has an aperture positioned between the one end of the coupling and the first outer surface in the first direction. The aperture is positioned between the electrical contact surface and the coupling in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2026
    Publication date: October 1, 2026
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryosuke HAYASHI, Junya SUMIDA, Ryuji NODA
  • Publication number: 20260010096
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a housing, a developing roller, a gear, a memory, and a holder. The developing roller rotates about a developing shaft extending in the first direction. The memory has an electrical contact surface. The holder holds the electrical contact surface. The holder is movable with respect to the housing. The holder has a first end and a second end that is separated from the first end in the second direction. The second end and the gear are arranged in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2025
    Publication date: January 8, 2026
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuji NODA, Junya SUMIDA, Ryosuke HAYASHI, Yasuo FUKAMACHI
  • Publication number: 20260010114
    Abstract: The developing cartridge includes a housing, a developing roller, a memory, a holder, and a cover, the developing roller rotates about a developing axis extending in a first direction, and the holder holds the electrical contact surface. The housing has a first boss extending in the first direction toward the cover, and a screw for attaching the cover to the housing is fastened to the first boss. The holder has a hole extending in the first direction, and the first boss is inserted into the hole. Thus, the first boss has a function of receiving a screw for attaching the cover to the housing and a function of holding the holder. This can reduce the number of parts of the developing cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2025
    Publication date: January 8, 2026
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuji NODA, Junya SUMIDA, Ryosuke HAYASHI, Yasuo FUKAMACHI
  • Patent number: 12339616
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main housing, a movable drawer, and a process cartridge attachable to the drawer. The process cartridge includes a drum unit, and a developing unit. The drum unit includes a drum housing, and a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction. The photosensitive drum is positioned at one end portion of the drum housing at one side in a second direction. The developing unit includes a developing casing, a developing roller, and a developing handle for detaching the process cartridge from the drawer toward another side in the second direction. The developing roller is positioned at one end portion of the developing casing at the one side in the second direction. The developing handle is positioned apart from the drum unit toward the another side in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukamachi, Yuki Nagashima, Junya Sumida, Sakiho Hayakawa, Marika Ozaki
  • Patent number: 12282290
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge; a developing cartridge; and a plate. The drum cartridge includes: a drum frame; a photosensitive drum; a first holder; and a first memory having a first electrical contact surface that is movably supported by the first holder. The developing cartridge is attachable to the drum frame. The developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a second holder; and a second memory having a second electrical contact surface that is movably supported by the second holder. The plate connects the first holder and the second holder to each other in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame. The second holder moves together with the plate in accordance with movement of the first holder in a state where the plate connects the first holder and the second holder to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukamachi, Junya Sumida, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Hideshi Nishiyama, Shinya Kusuda
  • Publication number: 20250116953
    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: December 16, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    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: 12259675
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge; and a developing cartridge. The drum cartridge includes: a drum frame; a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction; and a first memory having a first electrical contact surface. The developing cartridge is attachable to the drum frame and includes: a casing; a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction; a second memory having a second electrical contact surface; and a developing holder holding the second electrical contact surface such that the second electrical contact surface is movable relative to the casing. The drum cartridge further includes an elastic member that can expand and contract in a second direction crossing the first direction. The developing holder is connected to the elastic member and is movable in the second direction in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukamachi, Shinya Kusuda, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Junya Sumida, Hideshi Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 12210300
    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: August 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    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: 20240111239
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge; and a developing cartridge. The drum cartridge includes: a drum frame; a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction; and a first memory having a first electrical contact surface. The developing cartridge is attachable to the drum frame and includes: a casing; a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the first direction; a second memory having a second electrical contact surface; and a developing holder holding the second electrical contact surface such that the second electrical contact surface is movable relative to the casing. The drum cartridge further includes an elastic member that can expand and contract in a second direction crossing the first direction. The developing holder is connected to the elastic member and is movable in the second direction in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Shinya KUSUDA, Kazutoshi NAKAMURA, Junya SUMIDA, Hideshi NISHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20240103431
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes: a drum cartridge; a developing cartridge; and a plate. The drum cartridge includes: a drum frame; a photosensitive drum; a first holder; and a first memory having a first electrical contact surface that is movably supported by the first holder. The developing cartridge is attachable to the drum frame. The developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a second holder; and a second memory having a second electrical contact surface that is movably supported by the second holder. The plate connects the first holder and the second holder to each other in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame. The second holder moves together with the plate in accordance with movement of the first holder in a state where the plate connects the first holder and the second holder to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Junya SUMIDA, Kazutoshi NAKAMURA, Hideshi NISHIYAMA, Shinya KUSUDA
  • Publication number: 20240103429
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main housing, a movable drawer, and a process cartridge attachable to the drawer. The process cartridge includes a drum unit, and a developing unit. The drum unit includes a drum housing, and a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in a first direction. The photosensitive drum is positioned at one end portion of the drum housing at one side in a second direction. The developing unit includes a developing casing, a developing roller, and a developing handle for detaching the process cartridge from the drawer toward another side in the second direction. The developing roller is positioned at one end portion of the developing casing at the one side in the second direction. The developing handle is positioned apart from the drum unit toward the another side in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Yuki NAGASHIMA, Junya SUMIDA, Sakiho HAYAKAWA, Marika OZAKI
  • 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: 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: 20220317589
    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: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    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: 11378895
    Abstract: A controller is configured to: when an inter-sheet time is shorter than or equal to a first time, maintain a developing roller in contact with a photosensitive drum during an inter-sheet time; when the inter-sheet time is longer than the first time and shorter than or equal to a second time longer than the first time, perform, during the inter-sheet time, at least part of temporary separation processing of temporarily separating the developing roller from the photosensitive drum in a state where the photosensitive drum is rotating; and when the inter-sheet time is longer than the second time, perform, during the inter-sheet time, at least part of temporary stop processing of separating the developing roller from the photosensitive drum and then stopping rotation of the photosensitive drum, and subsequently restarting rotation thereof and then bringing the developing roller into contact with the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sano, Yusuke Ikegami, Junya Sumida, Chieko Mimura, Shintaro Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 11231659
    Abstract: In response to determining that image forming in a color mode is performed on a first sheet and then image forming in a monochrome mode is successively performed on the second sheet, perform charging bias reduction processing gradually reducing a charging bias from first to second charging bias and developing bias reduction processing of gradually reducing a developing bias from first to second developing bias during a first inter-sheet period after the first sheet passes a first photosensitive drum and before the second sheet reaches the first photosensitive drum, and perform separation processing such that an execution period of the separation processing overlaps at least one of an execution period of the charging bias reduction processing and an execution period of the developing bias reduction processing, the separation processing being processing of controlling a moving mechanism to move a first developing roller from a contact position to a separation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junya Sumida, Shunsuke Ishii, Toshio Furukawa, Toshiyuki Sano, Shintaro Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: D1095670
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Junya Sumida, Masaaki Furukawa