Patents by Inventor Kazukuni Nishimura

Kazukuni Nishimura 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: 20240160120
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a photosensitive layer on a support, wherein the photosensitive layer includes at least a charge generating layer, a charge transporting layer, and a protective layer, the charge generating layer contains titanyl phthalocyanine or a derivative thereof, the charge transporting layer contains a charge transporting material, the protective layer contains a reactant of a polymerizable monomer having a charge transporting structure and a polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure, and the charge transporting material, and a ratio of the mass of the charge transporting material contained in the protective layer is greater than 3% by mass and less than 9% by mass with respect to the total mass of a reactant of the polymerizable monomer having the charge transporting structure and the polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure, and the charge transporting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Takeshi ISHIDA, Akihiko ITAMI, Toshiyuki FUJITA, Kazukuni NISHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20240004323
    Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic photoreceptor capable of reducing the rotational torque of the photoreceptor and also reducing the increase in the rotational torque during long-term use when a cured layer obtained by curing a charge transporting compound having a radically polymerizable group is used as a protective layer. In the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a conductive support, a photosensitive layer, and a protective layer are laminated in this order. The protective layer is formed of a cured product of a composition containing the following: a charge transporting compound having a radically polymerizable functional group; and metal oxide particles surface-treated with a surface treating agent having a silicone chain in a side chain thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Toshiyuki FUJITA, Kazukuni Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20230324818
    Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic photoreceptor having at least a charge transport layer and a protective layer sequentially laminated on a conductive support, wherein the protective layer contains a cured product of a composition containing a charge transport compound having a chain polymerizable functional group; the charge transport layer and the protective layer are continuously laminated with intervening a mixed layer therebetween in which components of both layers of the charge transport layer and the protective layer are compatible; and the mixed layer has a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 1.0 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Kazukuni NISHIMURA, Toshiyuki FUJITA, Hiroki TAKAO, Seijiro TAKAHASHI, Tomoko SAKIMURA
  • Publication number: 20230185227
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming system forms an electrostatic latent image on at least a photoreceptor, develops an image using an electrostatic charge image developing toner, and removes the toner using a cleaning blade. A tip ridge of the cleaning blade is pressed against a surface of the photoreceptor. The system includes a photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor and a surface protecting layer that is provided on a surface of the photosensitive layer. The surface protecting layer includes a polymerizable monomer having at least two polymerizable groups in a molecule and a polymer of a hole transporting compound having a polymerizable group represented by General formula (1). The tip ridge of the cleaning blade has an edge angle that is obtuse and less than 120° and is pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor at an effective contact angle that is in a range of 8 to 20°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Taiki AMEMIYA, Kazutoshi KOBAYASHI, Yukio HOSOYA, Seijiro TAKAHASHI, Tomoko SAKIMURA, Kazukuni NISHIMURA
  • Patent number: 9190617
    Abstract: An all solid-state dye sensitizing type photoelectric conversion element excellent in photoelectric conversion efficiency and stability of photoelectric conversion function due to the prevention of desorption of the dye, and a solar cell comprising the photoelectric conversion element are provided. The present invention relates to a photoelectric conversion element comprising a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer comprising a semiconductor and a sensitizing dye, and a solid hole transport layer, and a second electrode, on a substrate, wherein the sensitizing dye is represented by the general formula (1) and the solid hole transport layer comprises a polymer obtainable by polymerizing a compound represented by the following general formula (2) or a multimer of the compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hideya Miwa, Masahiko Kurachi, Hidekazu Kawasaki, Kazukuni Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9029694
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element comprising a substrate, a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer comprising a semiconductor and a sensitizing dye, a hole transport layer and a second electrode, wherein the hole transport layer comprises a polymer having a repeat unit represented by Formula (1) or (2),
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazukuni Nishimura, Kazuya Isobe, Kenichi Onaka
  • Patent number: 8668846
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized photoelectric conversion element, comprises a pair of electrodes arranged opposite to each other; a semiconductor layer including a semiconductor supporting a sensitizing dye; and an electrolyte layer. At least the semiconductor layer and the electrolyte layer are provided between the pair of electrodes, and the sensitizing dye contains a compound represented by the following Formula (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kawasaki, Akihiko Itami, Kazuya Isobe, Hideya Miwa, Kazukuni Nishimura, Mayuko Ushiro
  • Patent number: 8471143
    Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion element containing a pair of opposite electrodes having therebetween: a semiconductor layer containing a sensitizing dye which is supported by a semiconductor; and a charge transport layer, wherein the sensitizing dye is a compound represented by Formula (1),
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kawasaki, Akihiko Itami, Kazuya Isobe, Hideya Miwa, Kazukuni Nishimura, Mayuko Ushiro
  • Publication number: 20130125987
    Abstract: The object is to provide a photoelectric conversion element having excellent photoelectric conversion efficiency, and high durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Hidekazu KAWASAKI, Kazukuni NISHIMURA, Hideya MIWA
  • Patent number: 8410356
    Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion element for which a novel compound (dye) exhibiting excellent adsorption to an oxide semiconductor and exhibiting high photoelectric conversion efficiency is used, and also provided is a solar cell employing the photoelectric conversion element. Disclosed is a dye-sensitizing type photoelectric conversion element possessing at least a pair of facing electrodes, a semiconductor layer possessing a semiconductor and a sensitizing dye supported on the semiconductor, and a charge transport layer, wherein the semiconductor layer and the charge transport layer are provided between the facing electrodes, and wherein the sensitizing dye comprises a compound represented by the following Formula (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kawasaki, Akihiko Itami, Kazuya Isobe, Hideya Miwa, Kazukuni Nishimura, Mayuko Ushiro
  • Patent number: 8395041
    Abstract: Disclosed is a photoelectric conversion element comprising a conductive support and provided thereon, a semiconductor layer, a charge transporting layer and an opposed electrode, the semiconductor layer comprising a semiconductor with a dye, wherein the dye is a compound represented by the following formula (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kawasaki, Akihiko Itami, Kazuya Isobe, Hideya Miwa, Kazukuni Nishimura, Mayuko Ushiro
  • Publication number: 20130025682
    Abstract: An all solid-state dye sensitizing type photoelectric conversion element excellent in photoelectric conversion efficiency and stability of photoelectric conversion function due to the prevention of desorption of the dye, and a solar cell comprising the photoelectric conversion element are provided. The present invention relates to a photoelectric conversion element comprising a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer comprising a semiconductor and a sensitizing dye, and a solid hole transport layer, and a second electrode, on a substrate, wherein the sensitizing dye is represented by the general formula (1) and the solid hole transport layer comprises a polymer obtainable by polymerizing a compound represented by the following general formula (2) or a multimer of the compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hideya MIWA, Masahiko KURACHI, Hidekazu KAWASAKI, Kazukuni NISHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20120325319
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element excellent in photoelectric conversion efficiency and stability of photoelectric conversion function, a method for producing the photoelectric conversion element, and a solar cell comprising the photoelectric conversion element are provided. The present invention relates to a photoelectric conversion element comprising a substrate, a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer containing a semiconductor and a sensitizing dye, and a hole transport layer, and a second electrode, wherein the hole transport layer comprises a polymer having a repeating unit represented by the general formula (1) or (2), and the sensitizing dye is represented by any of the general formulas (3A) to (3C).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kazukuni NISHIMURA, Kenichi ONAKA, Kazuya ISOBE
  • Publication number: 20120247562
    Abstract: Provided are a dye-sensitized solar cell with which desired photoelectric conversion efficiency is obtained when short-circuiting between a photoelectric conversion layer and a charge transport layer is suppressed, and also a manufacturing method thereof. Disclosed is a dye-sensitized solar cell comprising a photoelectric conversion element comprising a substrate and layered thereon, a first electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion layer in which a sensitizing dye is carried onto a semiconductor material, a charge transport layer and a second electrode layer in this order, wherein the photoelectric conversion layer comprises a compound represented by the following Formula (1): Formula (1) (R-A)n-M, where R represents a monovalent organic group having a straight-chain structure having no substituent but at least 6 atoms in chain length at a terminal, A represents an oxo acid group, M represents a metal atom, and n is an integer of 2-5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kazukuni NISHIMURA, Kazuya ISOBE, Teruo SASAKI
  • Patent number: 8247687
    Abstract: Provided are a newly developed dye-sensitizing type photoelectric conversion element employing a highly durable sensitizing dye, exhibiting high photoelectric conversion efficiency, and a solar cell fitted with the photoelectric conversion element. Also disclosed is a photoelectric conversion element comprising a compound represented by Formula (1) between a pair of facing electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideya Miwa, Akihiko Itami, Kazuya Isobe, Kazukuni Nishimura, Hidekazu Kawasaki, Mayuko Ushiro
  • Patent number: 8242355
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element having a pair of electrodes, and a semiconductor layer comprising a semiconductor carrying a dye and an electrolyte layer is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazukuni Nishimura, Akihiko Itami, Fumitaka Mochizuki, Hideya Miwa, Hidekazu Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20120073661
    Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric conversion element composed of a highly durable sensitizing dye, exhibiting high photoelectric conversion efficiency, and also a solar cell fitted with the photoelectric conversion element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kenichi ONAKA, Kazuya ISOBE, Hideya MIWA, Kazukuni NISHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20120060927
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photoelectric conversion element exhibiting excellent photoelectric conversion efficiency and excellent stability in photoelectric conversion function; a method of manufacturing the photoelectric conversion element; and a solar cell thereof in order to solve the current problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kenichi ONAKA, Kazuya ISOBE, Kazukuni NISHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20120042953
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element comprising a substrate, a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer comprising a semiconductor and a sensitizing dye, a hole transport layer and a second electrode, wherein the hole transport layer comprises a polymer having a repeat unit represented by Formula (1) or (2),
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kazukuni NISHIMURA, Kazuya ISOBE, Kenichi ONAKA
  • Patent number: 8039741
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element comprising a pair of electrodes containing therebetween a compound represented by Formula (1) or Formula (2):
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiko Itami, Fumitaka Mochizuki, Kazukuni Nishimura