Patents by Inventor Kanji Nakayama

Kanji Nakayama 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: 10768558
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a first electrode portion including a contact electrode and a counter electrode, a second electrode portion arranged as not being in contact with a recording medium, a first sensing unit configured to sense a first current which flows to the first electrode portion as a result of application of a voltage across the contact electrode and the counter electrode while the recording medium lies between the contact electrode and the counter electrode, a second sensing unit configured to sense a second current which flows from the charged recording medium to the second electrode portion, and a control unit. The control unit sets a transfer condition for transferring a toner image to the recording medium based on the first current sensed by the first sensing unit and the second current sensed by the second sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuusuke Mandai, Kanji Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20180373182
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus includes a first electrode portion including a contact electrode and a counter electrode, a second electrode portion arranged as not being in contact with a recording medium, a first sensing unit configured to sense a first current which flows to the first electrode portion as a result of application of a voltage across the contact electrode and the counter electrode while the recording medium lies between the contact electrode and the counter electrode, a second sensing unit configured to sense a second current which flows from the charged recording medium to the second electrode portion, and a control unit. The control unit sets a transfer condition for transferring a toner image to the recording medium based on the first current sensed by the first sensing unit and the second current sensed by the second sensing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Yuusuke MANDAI, Kanji NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 10005663
    Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a pattern substrate in which a pattern is formed on the surface of the substrate. The manufacturing method includes a step of preparing the substrate and a step of arranging a liquid-repellent or lyophilic material on the surface of the substrate so as to form the pattern on the surface of the substrate in which the surface of the substrate has a liquid-repellent region and a lyophilic region, the pattern is formed by one of the liquid-repellent region and the lyophilic region and the pattern is used to locate a component by the surface tension of a liquid member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Naoki Yamamoto, Kanji Nakayama, Keita Saito, Dai Suwama
  • Patent number: 9891550
    Abstract: A developing device is equipped with a developing roller rotationally driven for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of an image supporting body with toner, a screw rotationally driven of which a ratio of number of rotations to number of rotations of the developing roller being rotationally driven is constant, and a processor. The processor is configured to detect toner density in developer by using a sensor installed facing the screw, during rotationally drive of the screw, and detect information indicating a rotational position of the developing roller, based on ripples which occur in the toner density detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yuusuke Mandai, Kazuya Kitamura, Masato Kimura, Kanji Nakayama
  • Patent number: 9851658
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer carrying member and first and second conveyance members. The first conveyance member conveys a developer in a first direction through a first conveyance path to the developer carrying member. The second conveyance member conveys the developer in a second direction through a second conveyance path included in a circulation path along with the first conveyance path. The second conveyance member has a helical second screw around a second shaft. The second conveyance path includes a developer replenishing port and a developer discharge port. The second screw is approximately constant in diameter in a second section being a portion extending a predetermined distance from an end of the discharge port in the second direction when viewed in a top view. The second screw conveys the developer at a lower speed in the second section than on an upstream side with respect to the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Inada, Yu Mukobayashi, Yuusuke Mandai, Kanji Nakayama, Shinichi Yoshimoto, Junji Kanda
  • Patent number: 9841707
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier configured to carry a toner image; a transfer member configured to transfer the toner image onto a transfer target member by applying a transfer voltage of the opposite polarity of the polarity of the toner image to the transfer target member, the transfer member being in contact with the image carrier; an accepting unit configured to accept a setting for changing a preset current range to a new current range, the preset current range being defined by one of a lower limit of a current flowing in the transfer target member and an upper limit of the current; a sensing unit configured to sense a magnitude of the current flowing in the transfer target member; and a control device configured to control the transfer voltage so that the magnitude of the sensed current falls within the new current range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Takahiro Kuroda, Kanji Nakayama, Kohei Hayashi, Tatsutoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 9753394
    Abstract: An image forming device includes: a charging unit configured to apply charging bias voltage to a charging member and charge a surface of an image carrying body; an exposure unit configured to expose the surface of the image carrying body, and form an electrostatic latent image; a developing unit configured to apply developing bias voltage to a developer carrying body, and develop the electrostatic latent image; and a control unit configured to control timing to start applying the developing bias voltage relative to timing to start applying the charging bias voltage, wherein the control unit performs control such that the larger an absolute value of the charging bias voltage is, the shorter an interval from timing to start applying the charging bias voltage to timing to start applying the developing bias voltage becomes, and such that the smaller the absolute value is, the longer the interval becomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Kanji Nakayama, Shinichi Yoshimoto, Junji Kanda, Yasuyuki Inada, Yuusuke Mandai, Yu Mukobayashi
  • Publication number: 20170176895
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier configured to carry a toner image; a transfer member configured to transfer the toner image onto a transfer target member by applying a transfer voltage of the opposite polarity of the polarity of the toner image to the transfer target member, the transfer member being in contact with the image carrier; an accepting unit configured to accept a setting for changing a preset current range to a new current range, the preset current range being defined by one of a lower limit of a current flowing in the transfer target member and an upper limit of the current; a sensing unit configured to sense a magnitude of the current flowing in the transfer target member; and a control device configured to control the transfer voltage so that the magnitude of the sensed current falls within the new current range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Takahiro KURODA, Kanji NAKAYAMA, Kohei HAYASHI, Tatsutoshi YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20170108797
    Abstract: A developing device is equipped with a developing roller rotationally driven for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of an image supporting body with toner, a screw rotationally driven of which a ratio of number of rotations to number of rotations of the developing roller being rotationally driven is constant, and a processor. The processor is configured to detect toner density in developer by using a sensor installed facing the screw, during rotationally drive of the screw, and detect information indicating a rotational position of the developing roller, based on ripples which occur in the toner density detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: YUUSUKE MANDAI, KAZUYA KITAMURA, MASATO KIMURA, KANJI NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 9599924
    Abstract: There are provided a developing device including a developing roller to develop an image carrier by use of a two-component developer and a developing bias power source, and an image forming apparatus using the developing device. The developing device further includes a variable resistance unit provided on a bias apply path to apply a bias from the developing power source to the developing roller, and a resistance controller to control a resistance value of the variable resistance unit based on a charge amount signal indicating a toner's charge amount in a developer layer on the developing roller. The resistance controller provides a low mode to lower the resistance of the variable resistance unit and a high mode to enhance the resistance. The low mode is set if the toner charge amount is low, and the high mode is set if the toner charge amount is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yuusuke Mandai, Yasuyuki Inada, Yu Mukobayashi, Shinichi Yoshimoto, Junji Kanda, Kanji Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20160363882
    Abstract: An image forming device includes: a charging unit configured to apply charging bias voltage to a charging member and charge a surface of an image carrying body; an exposure unit configured to expose the surface of the image carrying body, and form an electrostatic latent image; a developing unit configured to apply developing bias voltage to a developer carrying body, and develop the electrostatic latent image; and a control unit configured to control timing to start applying the developing bias voltage relative to timing to start applying the charging bias voltage, wherein the control unit performs control such that the larger an absolute value of the charging bias voltage is, the shorter an interval from timing to start applying the charging bias voltage to timing to start applying the developing bias voltage becomes, and such that the smaller the absolute value is, the longer the interval becomes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanji NAKAYAMA, Shinichi YOSHIMOTO, Junji KANDA, Yasuyuki INADA, Yuusuke MANDAI, Yu MUKOBAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20160274488
    Abstract: There are provided a developing device comprising a developing roller to develop an image carrier by use of a two-component developer and a developing bias power source, and an image forming apparatus using the developing device. The developing device further includes a variable resistance unit provided on a bias apply path to apply a bias from the developing power source to the developing roller, and a resistance controller to control a resistance value of the variable resistance unit based on a charge amount signal indicating a toner's charge amount in a developer layer on the developing roller. The resistance controller provides a low mode to lower the resistance of the variable resistance unit and a high mode to enhance the resistance. The low mode is set if the toner charge amount is low, and the high mode is set if the toner charge amount is high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuusuke Mandai, Yasuyuki Inada, Yu Mukobayashi, Shinichi Yoshimoto, Junji Kanda, Kanji Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20160139541
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developer carrying member and first and second conveyance members. The first conveyance member conveys a developer in a first direction through a first conveyance path to the developer carrying member. The second conveyance member conveys the developer in a second direction through a second conveyance path included in a circulation path along with the first conveyance path. The second conveyance member has a helical second screw around a second shaft. The second conveyance path includes a developer replenishing port and a developer discharge port. The second screw is approximately constant in diameter in a second section being a portion extending a predetermined distance from an end of the discharge port in the second direction when viewed in a top view. The second screw conveys the developer at a lower speed in the second section than on an upstream side with respect to the second section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki INADA, Yu MUKOBAYASHI, Yuusuke MANDAI, Kanji NAKAYAMA, Shinichi YOSHIMOTO, Junji KANDA
  • Patent number: 9057988
    Abstract: A developing device having: a developing sleeve in which a magnetic member is inserted, transporting two-component developer to a developing area facing an image carrier; and a restriction member for restricting the amount of developer to be no greater than 250 g/m2. The average of absolute values of magnetic flux density within a restriction area falls within a range of 40 mT to 70 mT under a condition that no developer exists within the restriction area. The restriction area extends along the outer circumferential surface between a closest point on the outer circumferential surface, which is closest to the restriction member, and a point 2 mm upstream from the closest point in a rotational direction of the developing sleeve, and has a height that is half a minimum distance between the closest point and the restriction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Kanji Nakayama, Wataru Onoda, Hiroaki Takada
  • Publication number: 20140360252
    Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a pattern substrate in which a pattern is formed on the surface of the substrate. The manufacturing method includes a step of preparing the substrate and a step of arranging a liquid-repellent or lyophilic material on the surface of the substrate so as to form the pattern on the surface of the substrate in which the surface of the substrate has a liquid-repellent region and a lyophilic region, the pattern is formed by one of the liquid-repellent region and the lyophilic region and the pattern is used to locate a component by the surface tension of a liquid member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Naoki YAMAMOTO, Kanji NAKAYAMA, Keita SAITO, Dai SUWAMA
  • Patent number: 8824938
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, wherein the packing density at a closest point where the first peripheral surface and the second peripheral surface are the closest to each other is within a range from 0.3 to 0.4; wherein a maximum magnetic flux density of a principal magnetic pole for generating the magnetic field for development is located in an upstream side from the closest point with respect to the specified direction and at a point where the packing density is equal to or greater than 0.2; and wherein a magnetic flux density of the principal magnetic pole at a point where the packing density is 0.2 in a downstream side from the closest point with respect to the specified direction is equal to or less than ½ of a magnetic flux density of the principal magnetic pole at a point where the packing density is 0.2 in the upstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanji Nakayama, Masayasu Haga, Tomohisa Yoshida, Wataru Onoda, Narutaka Yoshida, Noboru Ito
  • Publication number: 20140169839
    Abstract: A developing device having: a developing sleeve in which a magnetic member is inserted, transporting two-component developer to a developing area facing an image carrier; and a restriction member for restricting the amount of developer to be no greater than 250 g/m2. The average of absolute values of magnetic flux density within a restriction area falls within a range of 40 mT to 70 mT under a condition that no developer exists within the restriction area. The restriction area extends along the outer circumferential surface between a closest point on the outer circumferential surface, which is closest to the restriction member, and a point 2 mm upstream from the closest point in a rotational direction of the developing sleeve, and has a height that is half a minimum distance between the closest point and the restriction member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanji Nakayama, Wataru Onoda, Hiroaki Takada
  • Patent number: 8693929
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a print medium with a developer composed of toner and carriers, wherein when the first distance is longer than the second distance, an average gap between the first peripheral surface and a member that faces to the first peripheral surface in an area with a length of the first distance extending upstream from the closest point with respect to the specified direction is smaller than an average gap between the first peripheral surface and a member that faces to the first peripheral surface in an area with a length of the first distance extending downstream from the closest point with respect to the specified direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomohisa Yoshida, Masayasu Haga, Kanji Nakayama, Wataru Onoda, Narutaka Yoshida, Noboru Ito
  • Patent number: 8639167
    Abstract: A two-component developing device using a developer containing toner and magnetic carrier particles. The developing device comprises a housing, a developing roller, a magnetic field generator mounted inside the developing roller, and a developer restricting member, and further comprises a developer guide member providing a developer guide path for guiding the developer to the developer amount restricting clearance, providing a developer circulation path for circulating the developer to an upstream end of the guide member, and providing a communication path for bringing the developer guide path into communication with the developer circulation path, an upstream end of the guide member being positioned above the position of a peak of magnetic flux density of the magnetic pole of the magnetic field generator which is closest to a low-magnetic force area downstream of the low-magnetic force area or positioned upstream of such a position and downstream of the low-magnetic force area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanji Nakayama, Masayasu Haga, Tomohisa Yoshida, Wataru Onoda, Yoshiyuki Iguchi, Noboru Ito
  • Patent number: 8406645
    Abstract: Developing bias is set as follows. An electric field intensity between a developing roller and a photoconductor is set to cause normally-charged toner to fly in an image area and not to cause the toner to fly in a background area. Thus, the normally-charged toner does not fly in the background area. The normally-charged toner caused to fly is therefore unlikely to flick low-charged toner and oppositely-charged toner. The low-charged toner and the oppositely-charged toner will not adhere to the background area and cause image fogging. Accordingly, an image forming apparatus can be provided to prevent the low-charged toner and the oppositely-charged toner from adhering to the background area of an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor and to avoid the occurrence of image fogging in the background area on a printed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuusuke Okuno, Kentaro Katori, Kanji Nakayama, Tomo Kitada, Toru Hayase