Patents by Inventor Keita Shimizu

Keita Shimizu 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: 9342041
    Abstract: In a developing cartridge, a drive-force receiving member includes: a first cylindrical part having a gear part transmitting drive force to a developing roller; a second cylindrical part disposed radially inward of the first cylindrical part and in contact with a support part; and a receiving part receiving drive force from outside of the developing cartridge. The receiving part is disposed outward of the first and second cylindrical parts in an axial direction in which a rotational axis extends. The receiving part has an internal space in communication with a gap between the first and second cylindrical parts. The receiving part is disposed to overlap the gap between the first and second cylindrical parts when the receiving part is viewed in the axial direction. The receiving part has an outward end in the axial direction, at least part of the outward end of the receiving part being closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuji Noda, Takashi Shimizu, Keita Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20160124440
    Abstract: A flow-rate control unit is constituted by a sensor model storage unit, a flow-rate simulation value output unit that outputs a flow-rate simulation value which is a flow-rate value that the sensor model outputs when a flow-rate setting value is input, a feedback control unit that outputs a flow-rate feedback value based on a deviation between a flow-rate measurement value and the flow-rate simulation value, and a valve control unit that controls a valve application voltage that is applied to a valve based on the flow-rate feedback value and a flow-rate feedforward value that is calculated from the flow-rate setting value, and the flow-rate simulation value output unit is configured to output the flow-rate simulation value in a state where a predetermined time delay exists with respect to the flow-rate setting value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Kotaro Takijiri, Keita Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9280129
    Abstract: A developer cartridge has a rotatable body, a casing, a conveying guide structure, and a cover. The cover includes a facing part and a first covering part. The conveying guide structure includes a first conveying guide extending in the second direction, and a second conveying guide connected from the first conveying guide at an end on the other side of the second direction and extends toward the other side of the second direction so as to curve in the first direction with respect to the first conveying guide. The first covering part includes a first contacting part configured to contact the first conveying guide, and a second contacting part configured to curve in the first direction with respect to the first contacting part so as to extend toward the other side in the second direction, and contact the second conveying guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keita Shimizu, Satoru Ishikawa, Soun Kanada
  • Publication number: 20160062312
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes: a first rotary body having at least one detected part; and a second rotary body. The first rotary body is configured to rotate between a first position, in which a transmission part is disposed opposite the second rotary body, and a second position, in which a non-transmission part is disposed opposite the second rotary body. The first rotary body includes a contacted part. A photosensitive body cartridge includes a moving member. When the moving member is in a third position, the moving member contacts the contacted part of the first rotary body disposed in the second position, causing the first rotary body to rotate to the first position. Thereafter, in association with rotation of the first rotary body, the moving member moves to a fourth position, in which the moving member is unable to contact the contacted part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: Keita Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9213304
    Abstract: A cartridge includes: a frame; an agitator; a coupling; a first transmission gear; a closing member; and a cover member. The frame has a first wall having a developer filling port, and a second wall spaced apart from the first wall. The agitator is supported to the first and second walls. The coupling is provided at the first wall and receives a drive force from an external drive source. The first transmission gear is provided at the first wall and transmits the drive force received by the coupling to the agitator. The closing member is provided at the first wall and closes the developer filling port. The cover member is provided at the first wall. The cover member includes: a first cover to cover the first transmission gear; and a second cover provided separately from the first cover and to cover the closing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keita Shimizu, Takashi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9182740
    Abstract: A developer cartridge includes: a first rotary body having at least one detected part; and a second rotary body. The first rotary body is configured to rotate between a first position, in which a transmission part is disposed opposite the second rotary body, and a second position, in which a non-transmission part is disposed opposite the second rotary body. The first rotary body includes a contacted part. A photosensitive body cartridge includes a moving member. When the moving member is in a third position, the moving member contacts the contacted part of the first rotary body disposed in the second position, causing the first rotary body to rotate to the first position. Thereafter, in association with rotation of the first rotary body, the moving member moves to a fourth position, in which the moving member is unable to contact the contacted part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keita Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20150192880
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: an agitation member configured to be rotatable around a rotational shaft extending in a first direction and to agitate a developer; an agitation gear being fixed to the agitation member and including a first gear configured to receive driving force to be inputted and a second gear positioned on one side of the first gear in the first direction; a detection target unit including a detection target receiving portion configured to receive the driving force from the second gear and a detection target portion configured to be detected by an external detecting apparatus; and a gear cover configured to cover at least a part of the agitation gear and the detection target unit therewith. The detection target portion is configured to move between the second gear and the gear cover when being projected in a direction orthogonal to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Ryuji Noda, Hirofumi Kuriki, Keita Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20150192881
    Abstract: A developing device includes: an agitation member including an agitation film; and a housing including a first frame and a second frame jointed to the first frame. The second frame includes: a first contact part configured to contact the agitation film, and a second contact part configured to contact the agitation film, arranged at a downstream side of the first contact part, the second contact part protruding towards the first frame. A first distance from the rotational axis line to the first contact part, as seen from a direction of the rotational axis line, is gradually increased towards a downstream side with respect to the rotating direction. A second distance from the rotational axis line to the second contact part is equal to or greater than a maximum distance from the rotational axis line to the first contact part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroya Fukuta, Fan Xu, Keita Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20150192891
    Abstract: In a developing cartridge, a drive-force receiving member includes: a first cylindrical part having a gear part transmitting drive force to a developing roller; a second cylindrical part disposed radially inward of the first cylindrical part and in contact with a support part; and a receiving part receiving drive force from outside of the developing cartridge. The receiving part is disposed outward of the first and second cylindrical parts in an axial direction in which a rotational axis extends. The receiving part has an internal space in communication with a gap between the first and second cylindrical parts. The receiving part is disposed such that the receiving part overlaps the gap between the first and second cylindrical parts when the receiving part is viewed in the axial direction. The receiving part has an outward end in the axial direction, at least part of the outward end of the receiving part being closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Ryuji Noda, Takashi Shimizu, Keita Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9069328
    Abstract: A cartridge may include a conveyor roller extending along a rotational axis and a bearing member for rotatably supporting the conveyor roller. The conveyor roller may include a larger-diameter portion for conveying a sheet, and a smaller-diameter portion. The bearing member may rotatably support the smaller-diameter portion of the conveyor roller, and engage the housing. In one or more arrangements, the entire smaller-diameter portion of the conveyor roller may be located at a more outward position, relative to a midpoint of the larger-diameter portion, than a portion of the bearing member supporting the smaller-diameter portion of the conveyor roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Ishikawa, Keita Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20150139701
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developer carrier; and a receiving member. The casing includes a support portion. The receiving member receives a drive force from an external drive source to transmit the drive force to the developer carrier. The receiving member has a cylindrical configuration. The support portion rotatably supports the receiving member. The receiving member includes: a receiving portion; a transmission portion; and a fitting portion. The receiving portion has an outer edge in a radial direction of the receiving member. The transmission portion defines an outer circumferential edge of the receiving member. The fitting portion is positioned inward of the transmission portion in the radial direction and fitted with the support portion. The outer edge of the receiving portion is positioned inward of the transmission portion in the radial direction and outward of the fitting portion in the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Ryuji Noda, Takashi Shimizu, Keita Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20150139693
    Abstract: A developer cartridge has a rotatable body, a casing, a conveying guide structure, and a cover. The cover includes a facing part and a first covering part. The conveying guide structure includes a first conveying guide extending in the second direction, and a second conveying guide connected from the first conveying guide at an end on the other side of the second direction and extends toward the other side of the second direction so as to curve in the first direction with respect to the first conveying guide. The first covering part includes a first contacting part configured to contact the first conveying guide, and a second contacting part configured to curve in the first direction with respect to the first contacting part so as to extend toward the other side in the second direction, and contact the second conveying guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Keita Shimizu, Satoru Ishikawa, Soun Kanada
  • Publication number: 20150117905
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a housing, an agitator, a first rotary member having a detected portion and a first abutment portion, and a second rotary member having a second abutment portion. The agitator includes: a rotation shaft having an axial end portion at which the second rotary member is supported; and an agitation blade supported to the rotation shaft and resiliently deformable. The second rotary member is configured such that while the agitation blade is being spaced apart from the housing, the second abutment portion contacts the first abutment portion in accordance with rotation of the second rotary member to move the first rotary member from the first position to the second position, thereby transmitting the driving force from the second rotary member to the first rotary member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Keita Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20150086222
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body and a cartridge configured to be mounted to and detached from the apparatus main body. The cartridge includes a rotating member which is configured to rotate and comprises a detected portion and a first engaging portion. The apparatus main body includes a detecting portion configured to detect the detected portion and a second engaging portion configured to engage with the first engaging portion. At least when the detecting portion detects the detected portion, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with each other by rotation of the rotating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Keita Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20150023688
    Abstract: A cartridge may include a conveyor roller extending along a rotational axis and a bearing member for rotatably supporting the conveyor roller. The conveyor roller may include a larger-diameter portion for conveying a sheet, and a smaller-diameter portion. The bearing member may rotatably support the smaller-diameter portion of the conveyor roller, and engage the housing. In one or more arrangements, the entire smaller-diameter portion of the conveyor roller may be located at a more outward position, relative to a midpoint of the larger-diameter portion, than a portion of the bearing member supporting the smaller-diameter portion of the conveyor roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Ishikawa, Keita Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20150003868
    Abstract: A cartridge includes: a frame; an agitator; a coupling; a first transmission gear; a closing member; and a cover member. The frame has a first wall having a developer filling port, and a second wall spaced apart from the first wall. The agitator is supported to the first and second walls. The coupling is provided at the first wall and receives a drive force from an external drive source. The first transmission gear is provided at the first wall and transmits the drive force received by the coupling to the agitator. The closing member is provided at the first wall and closes the developer filling port. The cover member is provided at the first wall. The coved member includes: a first cover to cover the first transmission gear; and a second cover provided separately from the first cover and to cover the closing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keita Shimizu, Takashi Shimizu
  • Patent number: D723613
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keita Shimizu
  • Patent number: D723614
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Shimizu, Tokifumi Tanaka, Satoru Ishikawa, Keita Shimizu
  • Patent number: D724139
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Shimizu, Tokifumi Tanaka, Satoru Ishikawa, Keita Shimizu
  • Patent number: D724657
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keita Shimizu