Patents by Inventor Kazuhiko Watanabe

Kazuhiko Watanabe 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).

  • Cleaning device for image formation apparatus
    Publication number: 20050100375
    Abstract: A cleaning device and process cartridge comprising same for an image formation apparatus, which prevents cleaning failures due to toner slipping past a blade, based on an equation for the force of toner particle rotation and the restraining force. Toner on an image carrier is removed by a blade. The relation between the blade and the image carrier satisfies the equation f(?)=?2??1×(Ntp/Nbt+cos ?)>0. Here ?1 is the friction coefficient between toner and image carrier, ?2 is the friction coefficient between toner and blade, Ntp is the adhesive force between toner and image carrier, Nbt is the force received by the toner from the blade, and ? is the angle formed by the blade and image carrier (the cleaning angle).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Osamu Naruse, Masahiko Shakuto, Hidetoshi Yano, Kazuhiko Watanabe
  • Expansion valve
    Patent number: 6889909
    Abstract: An expansion valve 1 comprises a piping member 10 having passages to which pipes for a refrigerant are connected, and a cassette unit 100, which are formed as separate components. The cassette unit 100 comprises a tube member 110 accommodating a guide member 170, an orifice member 180 and a plate member 166. A diaphragm 130 sandwiched between a rising portion 121 of a lid 120 and an end 110?c of the tube member 110 and defining a gas charge chamber 122 is displaced, the movement of which is transmitted to a shaft member 150. The shaft member 150 is guided by a guide member 170 and drives a valve member 160 disposed within a valve chamber 161. The cassette unit 100 is inserted to the piping member 10 and fixed by a ring 50. Seal members 62, 64, 66 are disposed to necessary areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Masamichi Yano, Kazuhiko Watanabe
  • Cleaning device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
    Publication number: 20050058474
    Abstract: In a cleaning device cleans off toners from a surface of an image carrier and a collection roller. The toners have a roundness of 0.96 degrees to 1.00 degrees. The cleaning device includes a brush roller that cleans toners from the image carrier, the collection roller that cleans toners from the brush roller, and a cleaning unit that cleans toner from the collection roller. The cleaning unit includes a blade that abuts a surface of the collection roller; a vibrating unit that vibrates the blade; and an oscillating unit that oscillates the vibrating unit. The cleaning unit cleans off toners by a vibration of a portion of the blade in which portion the blade member contacts with the collection roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Watanabe, Daichi Yamaguchi, Kenji Sugiura, Yasushi Nakazato, Masahiko Shakuto, Osamu Naruse, Hidetoshi Yano
  • Expansion valve
    Patent number: 6824068
    Abstract: Two case members of the same shape are attached to the body of an expansion valve and a temperature sensing drive element through sound insulating members. Each of the two case members is formed having upper retaining and retainable portions at its upper part and lower retaining and retainable portions at its lower part. The upper retaining portion, upper retainable portion, lower retaining portion, and lower retainable portion of one of the case members are in engagement with the upper retainable portion, upper retaining portion, lower retainable portion, and lower retaining portion, respectively, of the other case member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Masakatsu Minowa, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Masamichi Yano
  • Image forming apparatus using a contact or a proximity type of charging system
    Publication number: 20040213600
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a movable body to be charged and a charger including a charging member that contacts or adjoins the body to be charged and applies a voltage, including an AC component, to the charging member for thereby charging the body. A protection substance for protecting the surface of the body from deterioration ascribable to charging is caused to exist on the body. The number of particular elements, contained in the protection substance and detected by an X-ray photon spectral analyzer (XPS) in a zone where the charging member charges the body, is held in a particular ratio to the total number of all elements constituting the outermost surface of the body and also detected by the XPS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Watanabe, Kenji Sugiura, Yasushi Nakazato, Kazuhito Watanabe, Masahiko Shakuto, Daichi Yamaguchi, Yasuo Suzuki, Nozomu Tamoto, Hiroshi Nakai, Takahiko Tokumasu, Kohichi Ohshima, Nekka Matsuura
  • Expansion valve
    Patent number: 6776351
    Abstract: An expansion valve 1 comprises a housing 10 having refrigerant paths and a cassette unit 100. The cassette unit 100 comprises a flange 111 and a tube member 110 formed integrally thereto. An adjustment plate member 266 is mounted to the small-diameter end of the tube member 111 having steps, the plate member having an external thread 266a formed thereto. A bottom portion 46 of the inner bore of the housing for mounting the cassette is provided with an internal thread 46a. A head portion 121 of the lid member 120 of the cassette unit has a hexagonal shape, which enables the cassette unit 100 to be screwed onto the housing 10 using a tool such as a wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Masamichi Yano
  • Expansion valve and refrigeration cycle
    Patent number: 6758055
    Abstract: An orifice member 10 disposed at an orifice 32a of a valve body 30 is formed of a material such as stainless steel harder than the aluminum material forming valve body 30. Orifice member 10 is substantially cylindrical, with one open end 10a having a flat surface that comes in planar contact with a contact surface of valve body 30 constituting orifice 32a, and the other open end being tapered so as to oppose to a valve member 32d. A screw portion is formed to the outer side of orifice member 10 enabling it to be engaged to a screw portion formed on orifice 32a of valve body 30. The joint can be secured by applying and curing an adhesive between orifice member 10 and orifice 32a. Since orifice member 10 comes in planar contact with valve body 30 having an anodized aluminum film, the film is not damaged by orifice member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Watanabe, Tomonori Shimura
  • Expansion valve integrated with solenoid valve
    Publication number: 20040079811
    Abstract: An expansion valve 1 integrated with a solenoid valve includes a valve body 10 and a valve chamber 20 formed inside the valve body 10 to which a high-pressure refrigerant is introduced. A valve member 30 forms a throttle flow path between a valve seat 40, and controls the amount of refrigerant flowing therethrough. The valve body 30 is operated by the movement of a stopper member 80 of a power element 60 via an actuating rod 100. The high-pressure refrigerant acts on a surface 80a of the stopper member 80 opposite to a diaphragm 70 via a pressure equalizing passage 12, a connecting chamber 22 of a solenoid valve 200, and a pressure equalizing passage 14. The stopper member 80 is sealed between the guide member 90, so that the high-pressure refrigerant does not act directly on the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Ryo Matsuda, Tomonori Shimura, Kazuhiko Watanabe
  • Expansion valve
    Publication number: 20040079810
    Abstract: An expansion valve 1 includes a square rod-shaped valve body 10. A first path 20 into which refrigerant is introduced, a valve chamber 22 formed near the bottom of the path, a second path 24 for refrigerant heading toward an evaporator and a third path 26 for refrigerant returning from the evaporator are provided to the valve body 10. A valve member 30 provided inside the valve chamber is operated by a power element 70 via an actuating rod 60. In order to assemble the expansion valve, an assembled orifice member 40 and an assembled guide member 100 are press-fitted into an opening provided to the valve body 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Masamichi Yano
  • Expansion valve
    Publication number: 20040026523
    Abstract: An expansion valve 1 comprises a housing 10 having refrigerant paths and a cassette unit 100. The cassette unit 100 comprises a flange 111 and a tube member 110 formed integrally thereto. An adjustment plate member 266 is mounted to the small-diameter end of the tube member 111 having steps, the plate member having an external thread 266a formed thereto. A bottom portion 46 of the inner bore of the housing for mounting the cassette is provided with an internal thread 46a. A head portion 121 of the lid member 120 of the cassette unit has a hexagonal shape, which enables the cassette unit 100 to be screwed onto the housing 10 using a tool such as a wrench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Masamichi Yano
  • Expansion valve
    Publication number: 20040026524
    Abstract: An expansion valve 101 comprises a substantially prismatic-shaped valve body 301 made of aluminum alloy. On the valve body 301 is formed a first passage 32 through which a liquid-phase refrigerant travels towards an evaporator, and a second passage 34 through which a gas-phase refrigerant travels from the evaporator toward a compressor. On the upper portion of the valve body 301 is mounted a power element portion 36 for driving the valve mounted in the middle of a first passage 32. On the side surfaces 301a of the valve body 301 are formed protruding portions 301c, and to the protruding portions, penetrating holes 50 for inserting the bolt for mounting the expansion valve are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: FUJIKOKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masamichi Yano, Kazuhiko Watanabe
  • Expansion valve
    Publication number: 20040020996
    Abstract: An expansion valve 1 comprises a piping member 10 having passages to which pipes for a refrigerant are connected, and a cassette unit 100, which are formed as separate components. The cassette unit 100 comprises a tube member 110 accommodating a guide member 170, an orifice member 180 and a plate member 166. A diaphragm 130 sandwiched between a rising portion 121 of a lid 120 and an end 110′c of the tube member 110 and defining a gas charge chamber 122 is displaced, the movement of which is transmitted to a shaft member 150. The shaft member 150 is guided by a guide member 170and drives a valve member 160 disposed within a valve chamber 161. The cassette unit 100 is inserted to the piping member 10 and fixed by a ring 50. Seal members 62, 64, 66 are disposed to necessary areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Masamichi Yano, Kazuhiko Watanabe
  • Expansion valve
    Publication number: 20040016260
    Abstract: An expansion valve 1 comprises a piping member 10 having passages to which pipes for refrigerant are connected, and a cassette unit 100, which are formed as separate components. The cassette unit 100 comprises a flange portion 111 and a tube member 110 which are welded together, and to the interior of which are fixed a guide member 170, an orifice member 180 and a plate member 166. According to the pressure of gas filled in a gas charge chamber 122 defined by a lid 120 and a diaphragm 130, the diaphragm 130 is displaced, the movement of which is transmitted through a stopper 140 to a shaft member 150. The shaft member 150 is guided by a guide member 170 and drives a valve member 160 disposed within a valve chamber 161. The cassette unit 100 is inserted to the piping member 10 and fixed by a ring 50. Seal members 62, 64, 66 are fit to necessary areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Masamichi Yano, Kazuhiko Watanabe
  • Expansion valve
    Publication number: 20040011078
    Abstract: An evaporator 10 of an air conditioner comprises a refrigerant entrance port 12 and a refrigerant exit port 14. A division wall 16 of the evaporator is extended to form a housing 200. The housing 200 comprises an inlet 210 for the refrigerant traveling from a compressor, an outlet 220 communicating with the entrance port 12 of the evaporator, and a refrigerant path 230 returning from the evaporator. The cassette unit 100 comprises a pipe member 110, a flange member 120 and a lid member 130, with major components of the expansion valve such as a diaphragm and a driving member for driving a valve means assembled thereto. The cassette unit 100 is accommodated in a hole 240 with steps of the housing 200 to complete the expansion valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Masamichi Yano, Kazuhiko Watanabe
  • Expansion valve unit having pressure detecting function
    Patent number: 6634567
    Abstract: An expansion valve unit having a pressure detecting function includes a supercooling control expansion valve disposed in a flow path of a refrigerant sent into an evaporator of a refrigeration system constituting a refrigerating cycle to control the flow rate of the refrigerant. A pressure detector is provided at one end of the supercooling control expansion valve to detect the pressure of the refrigerant sent thereto through a passage in the expansion valve. The supercooling control expansion valve and the pressure detector are integrated with each other by a joining means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignees: Denson Corporation, Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Teruyuki Hotta, Shigeki Ito, Yasushi Yamanaka, Ryo Matsuda, Kazuhiko Watanabe, Keiji Sasaki
  • Expansion valve
    Patent number: D502252
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Fukuda, Kazuhiko Watanabe
  • Expansion valve
    Patent number: D504714
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Fukuda, Kazuhiko Watanabe
  • Expansion valve
    Patent number: D494657
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Kazuhiko Watanabe
  • Expansion valve
    Patent number: D494658
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Kazuhiko Watanabe
  • Expansion valve
    Patent number: D498516
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Fukuda, Kazuhiko Watanabe