Patents by Inventor Kazutoshi Nakamura

Kazutoshi Nakamura 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20250107125
    Abstract: A semiconductor device of embodiments includes a transistor region and a diode region. The transistor region includes: a first conductive type first semiconductor region, a second conductive type second semiconductor region, a first conductive type third semiconductor region in this order in a semiconductor layer; a second conductive type fourth semiconductor region and a first conductive type fifth semiconductor region on the third semiconductor region and arranged alternately in a first direction; a first conductive type sixth semiconductor region between the third and the fourth semiconductor region a first trench spaced from the sixth semiconductor region; a gate electrode in the first trench; a first electrode having a first portion, a bottom surface of the first portion being in contact with the third semiconductor region and side surfaces of the first portion being in contact with the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth semiconductor regions; and a second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventor: Kazutoshi NAKAMURA
  • 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
  • Patent number: 12197166
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge. The drum cartridge may include a first handle positioned at a first end of a frame of the drum cartridge. The developing cartridge may include a second handle positioned at a first end of a developing casing the developing cartridge. The main casing may include a first edge surface in the axial direction and a second edge surface opposite the first edge surface in the axial direction. The second handle may extend farther from the second edge surface than the first handle extends from the second edge surface in the axial direction in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Nakamura, Yasuo Fukamachi, Masaaki Furukawa
  • Patent number: 12181825
    Abstract: A printer includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method, and a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet by an inkjet method. An image recording position of the recording unit is located above an image forming position of the image forming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shingai, Shohei Ichikawa, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Shota Shinoya
  • Publication number: 20240369965
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body housing; a developing cartridge attachable to and detachable from the main body housing; a drum cartridge attachable to and detachable from the main body housing; and a developing guide for guiding attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge to and from the main body housing. The developing cartridge includes a developing roller and a developing memory for storing information. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum. The developing guide is movable together with the developing cartridge between a first position where the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a second position where the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum. The developing guide includes a developing memory terminal configured to be in contact with the developing memory in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the main body housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Kazutoshi NAKAMURA, Masaaki FURUKAWA
  • Publication number: 20240321963
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes first and second electrodes, and first and second regions. The first region includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, a plurality of third semiconductor regions of the first conductivity type, a gate electrode, a conductive part, a fourth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type, a fifth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, and a sixth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type. The gate electrode faces one of the plurality of third semiconductor regions via a gate insulating layer. The conductive part faces another one of the plurality of third semiconductor regions via an insulating layer, and is electrically connected with the second electrode. The fourth and six semiconductor regions are located on the one and the other one of the plurality of third semiconductor regions, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Shunta MURAI, Daiki YOSHIKAWA, Kazutoshi NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20240321871
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first electrode, a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor region of the second conductivity type, and a second electrode. The third semiconductor region is located on the second semiconductor region, and has a higher second-conductivity-type impurity concentration than the second semiconductor region. The second electrode is located on the third semiconductor region. The second electrode includes a first part and a second part. The first part is located in the second semiconductor region. The second part is positioned on the first part, and contacts the third semiconductor region in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction from the first electrode toward the first semiconductor region. A length of the first part is greater than a length of the second part in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Kazuki MINAMIKAWA, Daiki YOSHIKAWA, Kazutoshi NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20240321869
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first region, and a second region. The second electrode is separated from the first electrode. The first region includes a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, a gate electrode, a fourth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type, a fifth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, and a sixth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type. The fifth semiconductor region, located between the fourth semiconductor region and a portion of the third semiconductor region, has a higher first-conductivity-type impurity concentration than the third semiconductor region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Kazutoshi NAKAMURA, Shunta MURAI, Daiki YOSHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 12092991
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body housing; a developing cartridge attachable to and detachable from the main body housing; a drum cartridge attachable to and detachable from the main body housing; and a developing guide for guiding attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge to and from the main body housing. The developing cartridge includes a developing roller and a developing memory for storing information. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum. The developing guide is movable together with the developing cartridge between a first position where the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a second position where the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum. The developing guide includes a developing memory terminal configured to be in contact with the developing memory in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the main body housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukamachi, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Masaaki Furukawa
  • Patent number: 12072006
    Abstract: A developing device may include an auger or an agitator that is capable of supplying toner in a toner accommodation chamber to a developing chamber and is rotatable about an auger axis extending in an axial direction, a transporting gear that is rotatable together with the auger or the agitator, and a moving gear that is in mesh with a coupling gear and is rotatable both counterclockwise and clockwise. The moving gear is movable while being in mesh with the coupling gear between a first position where the moving gear is in mesh with the transporting gear and a second position where the moving gear is out of mesh with the transporting gear. The moving gear moves to the first position when the coupling gear rotates counterclockwise and to the second position when the coupling gear rotates clockwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Shimizu, Yasuo Fukamachi, Keita Shimizu, Kazutoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 12066784
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main housing, a drawer, and a cartridge. The drawer is movable between an inside position inside the main housing and an outside position outside the main housing. The cartridge is installable into and removable from the drawer. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum configured to rotate about a drum axis. The drawer comprises a lock member movable between a lock position in which the drawer is locked to the main housing, and an unlock position in which the drawer is unlocked from the main housing. The cartridge installed in the drawer is rotatable about the drum axis between a first position and a second position. The lock member is positioned in the lock position when the cartridge is positioned in the first position, and positioned in the unlock position when the cartridge is positioned in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Misato Osuka, Keita Shimizu, Go Iwasa, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Ryosuke Hayashi, Tsubasa Kiriyama, Naoya Kamimura, Yuwen Wang, Masaaki Furukawa, Kazuma Hinoue, Kenta Tosuji
  • Publication number: 20240272575
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main housing, a drawer, and a cartridge. The drawer is movable between an inside position inside the main housing and an outside position outside the main housing. The cartridge is installable into and removable from the drawer. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum configured to rotate about a drum axis. The drawer comprises a lock member movable between a lock position in which the drawer is locked to the main housing, and an unlock position in which the drawer is unlocked from the main housing. The cartridge installed in the drawer is rotatable about the drum axis between a first position and a second position. The lock member is positioned in the lock position when the cartridge is positioned in the first position, and positioned in the unlock position when the cartridge is positioned in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Misato Osuka, Keita Shimizu, Go Iwasa, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Ryosuke Hayashi, Tsubasa Kiriyama, Naoya Kamimura, Yuwen Wang, Masaaki Furukawa, Kazuma Hinoue, Kenta Tosuji
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11914323
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body housing; a developing cartridge attachable to and detachable from the main body housing; a drum cartridge attachable to and detachable from the main body housing; and a developing guide for guiding attachment and detachment of the developing cartridge to and from the main body housing. The developing cartridge includes a developing roller and a developing memory for storing information. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum. The developing guide is movable together with the developing cartridge between a first position where the developing roller is in contact with the photosensitive drum and a second position where the developing roller is separated from the photosensitive drum. The developing guide includes a developing memory terminal configured to be in contact with the developing memory in a state where the developing cartridge is attached to the main body housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukamachi, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Masaaki Furukawa
  • Patent number: 11886129
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a developing cartridge; a transfer unit; a solvent cartridge accommodating solvent for dissolving toner; an applicator applying the solvent to the toner on a sheet; and a cover movable between an open position and a closed position. The developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are detachably attachable to the main casing independently of each other. The developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are positioned between the applicator and the cover in a second direction crossing the first direction, and the solvent cartridge is positioned closer to the applicator than the developing cartridge is to the applicator in a state where the developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are attached to the main casing and the cover is at the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yutaka Kakigahara, Satoshi Murata, Masataka Kamiya, Masaaki Furukawa, Yasuo Fukamachi, Kazutoshi Nakamura, Hideshi Nishiyama, Keita Shimizu, Keita Hironaka, Mariko Mogi, Naoya Kamimura, Kazuma Hinoue, Kouichi Sugimoto, Shinya Kusuda, Shunji Yoshimoto
  • Publication number: 20240027951
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge. The drum cartridge may include a first handle positioned at a first end of a frame of the drum cartridge. The developing cartridge may include a second handle positioned at a first end of a developing casing the developing cartridge. The main casing may include a first edge surface in the axial direction and a second edge surface opposite the first edge surface in the axial direction. The second handle may extend farther from the second edge surface than the first handle extends from the second edge surface in the axial direction in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazutoshi NAKAMURA, Yasuo FUKAMACHI, Masaaki FURUKAWA