Patents by Inventor Kimihide Tsukamoto

Kimihide Tsukamoto 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: 10996597
    Abstract: A pair of pressure members are disposed at both ends of a pressure roller and rotatably support the pressure roller to press the pressure roller against a fixing roller including an elastic layer via a fixing belt. One of the pressure members that includes a fulcrum engaging section engaged with a rotation fulcrum at one end and is locked to a biasing member at a side opposite to the fulcrum engaging section is moved by a moving member in a direction intersecting a pressing direction of the pressure roller in a state where deformation of the elastic layer is regulated. Thus, a force acting on a fixing nip formed by the deformation of the elastic layer of the fixing roller is stabilized. As a result, the traveling performance of the fixing belt is stabilized, whereby the offset control can be performed with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kimihide Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20200117129
    Abstract: A pair of pressure members are disposed at both ends of a pressure roller and rotatably support the pressure roller to press the pressure roller against a fixing roller including an elastic layer via a fixing belt. One of the pressure members that includes a fulcrum engaging section engaged with a rotation fulcrum at one end and is locked to a biasing member at a side opposite to the fulcrum engaging section is moved by a moving member in a direction intersecting a pressing direction of the pressure roller in a state where deformation of the elastic layer is regulated. Thus, a force acting on a fixing nip formed by the deformation of the elastic layer of the fixing roller is stabilized. As a result, the traveling performance of the fixing belt is stabilized, whereby the offset control can be performed with high accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventor: KIMIHIDE TSUKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 10509363
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported; a secondary transfer unit and a fixing section both disposed on the printing paper transport path; an open/close cover that, when opened, exposes the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus; a pressure roller, disposed in the fixing section, that presses the printing paper on a side thereof facing the open/close cover against the printing paper transport path; and cooling fans that cool down the pressure roller, wherein the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans are attached to the open/close cover and disposed at such positions that the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans move following overlapping paths when the open/close cover is opened/closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Nakamura, Kimihide Tsukamoto, Masaki Amemiya
  • Patent number: 10365600
    Abstract: A belt deviation correction device for correcting a deviation of an endless belt wound around a plurality of rollers includes a pressing roller that is pressed from outside the endless belt wound around the plurality of rollers. The pressing roller is configured to swing in such a way as to be inclined with respect to the plurality of rollers. A deviation of the endless belt in a direction of an axis of rotation of the plurality of rollers is corrected by swinging the pressing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kimihide Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20190212696
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported; a secondary transfer unit and a fixing section both disposed on the printing paper transport path; an open/close cover that, when opened, exposes the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus; a pressure roller, disposed in the fixing section, that presses the printing paper on a side thereof facing the open/close cover against the printing paper transport path; and cooling fans that cool down the pressure roller, wherein the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans are attached to the open/close cover and disposed at such positions that the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans move following overlapping paths when the open/close cover is opened/closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Hirokazu NAKAMURA, Kimihide TSUKAMOTO, Masaki AMEMIYA
  • Patent number: 10268159
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported; a secondary transfer unit and a fixing section both disposed on the printing paper transport path; an open/close cover that, when opened, exposes the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus; a pressure roller, disposed in the fixing section, that presses the printing paper on a side thereof facing the open/close cover against the printing paper transport path; and cooling fans that cool down the pressure roller, wherein the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans are attached to the open/close cover and disposed at such positions that the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans move following overlapping paths when the open/close cover is opened/closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Nakamura, Kimihide Tsukamoto, Masaki Amemiya
  • Publication number: 20180299811
    Abstract: A belt deviation correction device for correcting a deviation of an endless belt wound around a plurality of rollers includes a pressing roller that is pressed from outside the endless belt wound around the plurality of rollers. The pressing roller is configured to swing in such a way as to be inclined with respect to the plurality of rollers. A deviation of the endless belt in a direction of an axis of rotation of the plurality of rollers is corrected by swinging the pressing roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Kimihide TSUKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20180164742
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported; a secondary transfer unit and a fixing section both disposed on the printing paper transport path; an open/close cover that, when opened, exposes the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus; a pressure roller, disposed in the fixing section, that presses the printing paper on a side thereof facing the open/close cover against the printing paper transport path; and cooling fans that cool down the pressure roller, wherein the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans are attached to the open/close cover and disposed at such positions that the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans move following overlapping paths when the open/close cover is opened/closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Hirokazu NAKAMURA, Kimihide TSUKAMOTO, Masaki AMEMIYA
  • Patent number: 9910408
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported; a secondary transfer unit and a fixing section both disposed on the printing paper transport path; an open/close cover that, when opened, exposes the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus; a pressure roller, disposed in the fixing section, that presses the printing paper on a side thereof facing the open/close cover against the printing paper transport path; and cooling fans that cool down the pressure roller, wherein the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans are attached to the open/close cover and disposed at such positions that the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans move following overlapping paths when the open/close cover is opened/closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Nakamura, Kimihide Tsukamoto, Masaki Amemiya
  • Publication number: 20170075302
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported; a secondary transfer unit and a fixing section both disposed on the printing paper transport path; an open/close cover that, when opened, exposes the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus; a pressure roller, disposed in the fixing section, that presses the printing paper on a side thereof facing the open/close cover against the printing paper transport path; and cooling fans that cool down the pressure roller, wherein the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans are attached to the open/close cover and disposed at such positions that the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans move following overlapping paths when the open/close cover is opened/closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Hirokazu NAKAMURA, Kimihide TSUKAMOTO, Masaki AMEMIYA
  • Patent number: 9519267
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported; a secondary transfer unit and a fixing section both disposed on the printing paper transport path; an open/close cover that, when opened, exposes the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus; a pressure roller, disposed in the fixing section, that presses the printing paper on a side thereof facing the open/close cover against the printing paper transport path; and cooling fans that cool down the pressure roller, wherein the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans are attached to the open/close cover and disposed at such positions that the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans move following overlapping paths when the open/close cover is opened/closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Nakamura, Kimihide Tsukamoto, Masaki Amemiya
  • Publication number: 20160179054
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported; a secondary transfer unit and a fixing section both disposed on the printing paper transport path; an open/close cover that, when opened, exposes the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus; a pressure roller, disposed in the fixing section, that presses the printing paper on a side thereof facing the open/close cover against the printing paper transport path; and cooling fans that cool down the pressure roller, wherein the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans are attached to the open/close cover and disposed at such positions that the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans move following overlapping paths when the open/close cover is opened/closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Hirokazu NAKAMURA, Kimihide TSUKAMOTO, Masaki AMEMIYA
  • Patent number: 9317010
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported; a secondary transfer unit and a fixing section both disposed on the printing paper transport path; an open/close cover that, when opened, exposes the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus; a pressure roller, disposed in the fixing section, that presses the printing paper on a side thereof facing the open/close cover against the printing paper transport path; and cooling fans that cool down the pressure roller, wherein the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans are attached to the open/close cover and disposed at such positions that the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans move following overlapping paths when the open/close cover is opened/closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirokazu Nakamura, Kimihide Tsukamoto, Masaki Amemiya
  • Publication number: 20150063858
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a printing paper transport path in which printing paper is transported; a secondary transfer unit and a fixing section both disposed on the printing paper transport path; an open/close cover that, when opened, exposes the printing paper transport path in a main body of the apparatus; a pressure roller, disposed in the fixing section, that presses the printing paper on a side thereof facing the open/close cover against the printing paper transport path; and cooling fans that cool down the pressure roller, wherein the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans are attached to the open/close cover and disposed at such positions that the secondary transfer unit and the cooling fans move following overlapping paths when the open/close cover is opened/closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Nakamura, Kimihide Tsukamoto, Masaki Amemiya
  • Patent number: 8364066
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus 12 in one embodiment of the present invention includes a fixing roller 31, a pressure roller 32, a pressing apparatus 100 for pressing the pressure roller 32 toward the fixing roller 31, a pressure cancellation apparatus 200 that cancels pressure applied by the pressing apparatus 100 to the pressure roller 32 against the fixing roller 31, an external heating apparatus 300 that presses the fixing roller 31 from the outside on an opposite side to the pressure roller 32, and a regulation member 400 that regulates the amount of pressure the external heating apparatus 300 applies to the fixing roller 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Nakamura, Kousuke Namisaki, Takashi Yamanaka, Kimihide Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 8320809
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus using a web sheet includes: a send-out roller that is wound with the web sheet; a take-up roller that is connected to an end of the web sheet; and a rotation-regulating and canceling portion that regulates rotation of the send-out roller and cancels the regulation according to tension of the web sheet between the send-out roller and the take-up roller; wherein the web sheet is sent out from the send-out roller and taken up by the take-up roller, the web sheet is brought into contact with another roller during the sending out and taking up operation, and extraneous matters that have adhered to the other roller are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamanaka, Yasunori Minakuchi, Kimihide Tsukamoto, Shinichi Azumi
  • Patent number: 8213819
    Abstract: In a fixing apparatus provided with a plurality of fixing heaters having heat distribution characteristics that are different from each other inside a fixing roller, and an image forming apparatus provided with the fixing apparatus, an auxiliary heater is provided, the auxiliary heater being provided inside the fixing roller and to which power is distributed only during the warm-up period until the fixing roller in a lower temperature state reaches a predetermined fixing temperature. The plurality of fixing heaters includes a first fixing heater having first heat distribution characteristics that mainly heats a center portion of the fixing roller, and a second fixing heater having second heat distribution characteristics that mainly heats both end portion regions of the fixing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakatani, Yoshinobu Tateishi, Atsushi Ide, Kimihide Tsukamoto, Takashi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 8160466
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a fixing apparatus that causes a recording material to pass through a nip portion formed by a rotating heat roller and a rotating pressure roller being in contact so as to perform a fixing operation is configured including a pressing mechanism that can switch between a pressure applied state in which the pressure roller presses against the heat roller using a bias and a pressure cancelled state in which the pressure is cancelled, a pressure state detection unit, and a control unit that performs a pressure cancelation operation and a pressure application operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamanaka, Atsushi Ide, Kimihide Tsukamoto, Hiroshi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 8099034
    Abstract: In one embodiment, when a hot roller is driven to rotate, a driving gear rotates so that a swing gear and a swing cam rotate. Then, a sliding contact edge on the right side of a swing lever that abuts against the circumferential face of the swing cam repeatedly moves up and down, and the swing lever repeatedly rotates clockwise and counterclockwise with a shaft of a pressure release cam as the center. At this time, since only the clockwise rotation of the swing lever is transmitted via a one-way clutch to the shaft of the pressure release cam, the clockwise rotation is intermittently transmitted to the shaft of the pressure release cam. As a result of this, the pressure release cam intermittently rotates clockwise, and the pressure release cam pushes away a roller of a displacement frame, so that the pressure roller separates from the hot roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kimihide Tsukamoto, Hirokazu Nakamura, Takashi Yamanaka, Kousuke Namisaki
  • Patent number: 8041237
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a fixing apparatus is configured of a pressing portion for causing the pressure roller to enter a pressure applied state by applying bias, a switching portion for causing the pressing portion in the pressure applied state to enter a pressure released state by causing a cam to rotate forward, a pressure state detection portion for detecting the pressure released state, and a control portion for, when shifting from the pressure applied state to the pressure released state, turning forward the cam of the switching portion in the pressure applied state and stopping the cam after the pressure state detection portion detects the pressure released state. If the cam is turned forward with respect to the switching portion for a certain time period, but the pressure state detection portion does not detect the pressure released state, the control portion performs forward rotational direction retry control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamanaka, Atsushi Ide, Kimihide Tsukamoto, Hiroshi Nakatani