Patents by Inventor Kohei YUWAKI

Kohei YUWAKI 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: 11884012
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping device includes a supply flow channel through which a shaping material flows, an ejection amount control mechanism that controls a flow amount of the shaping material to be ejected from a nozzle, a branch flow channel branched from a first partial flow channel as a flow channel between the melting section and the ejection amount control mechanism out of the supply flow channel, a transfer mechanism that transfers the shaping material in the second partial flow channel to the first partial flow channel via the branch flow channel, and a control section that controls the transfer mechanism to transfer the shaping material in the second partial flow channel to the first partial flow channel in a period from stopping the ejection of the shaping material from the nozzle to resuming the ejection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Yuwaki, Koichi Saito
  • Patent number: 11850801
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a plasticizing portion plasticizing a material to generate a shaping material, a nozzle having a discharge port discharging the shaping material toward a table, a movement mechanism changing a relative position between the nozzle and the table, a discharge control mechanism provided in a flow path which connects the plasticizing portion to the nozzle and controlling a discharge amount of the shaping material from the nozzle, and a control portion controlling the plasticizing portion, the movement mechanism, and the discharge control mechanism to shape the three-dimensional shaping object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventors: Kohei Yuwaki, Satoshi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11787111
    Abstract: Provided is a three-dimensional shaping apparatus comprising a nozzle having a discharge port through which a shaping material is discharged, and a flow rate regulation mechanism that includes a butterfly valve provided in a flow path upstream of the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi Saito, Kohei Yuwaki, Shunsuke Mizukami, Kazuhide Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11718042
    Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a nozzle that ejects a molten material, which is a plasticized thermoplastic material, a plasticization section which includes a flat screw having a groove extending in a volute shape and a driving motor that rotates the flat screw, the plasticization section rotating the flat screw to thereby guide the molten material to the nozzle through the groove, and an ejection control mechanism that is disposed in a flow path between the flat screw and the nozzle, and controls an outflow of the molten material from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi Saito, Kohei Yuwaki, Kazuhide Nakamura, Shunsuke Mizukami
  • Patent number: 11701837
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a melting section providing a shaping material to a channel, a nozzle ejecting the shaping material to a shaping region of a shaping table, an ejection-amount adjusting mechanism adjusting an amount of the shaping material from the nozzle, a suction member sucking the shaping material in the channel, a memory configured to store a program, and a processor configured to execute the program so as to control the three-dimensional shaping apparatus. The processor is configured to stop the ejection of the shaping material and, thereafter, prior to resumption of the ejection of the shaping material, execute material purge processing for discharging the shaping material remaining in the melting section to a region different from the shaping region. The suction member is located closer to the nozzle than the ejection-amount adjusting mechanism in the first channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventors: Kohei Yuwaki, Koichi Saito, Kazuhide Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20230030930
    Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a nozzle that ejects a molten material, which is a plasticized thermoplastic material, a plasticization section which includes a flat screw having a groove extending in a volute shape and a driving motor that rotates the flat screw, the plasticization section rotating the flat screw to thereby guide the molten material to the nozzle through the groove, and an ejection control mechanism that is disposed in a flow path between the flat screw and the nozzle, and controls an outflow of the molten material from the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi SAITO, Kohei YUWAKI, Kazuhide NAKAMURA, Shunsuke MIZUKAMI
  • Patent number: 11548231
    Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a nozzle that ejects a molten material, which is a plasticized thermoplastic material, a plasticization section which includes a flat screw having a groove extending in a volute shape and a driving motor that rotates the flat screw, the plasticization section rotating the flat screw to thereby guide the molten material to the nozzle through the groove, and an ejection control mechanism that is disposed in a flow path between the flat screw and the nozzle, and controls an outflow of the molten material from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi Saito, Kohei Yuwaki, Kazuhide Nakamura, Shunsuke Mizukami
  • Patent number: 11534976
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a melting section providing a shaping material to a channel, a nozzle ejecting the shaping material to a shaping region of a shaping table, an ejection-amount adjusting mechanism adjusting an amount of the shaping material from the nozzle, a suction member sucking the shaping material in the channel, a memory configured to store a program, and a processor configured to execute the program so as to control the three-dimensional shaping apparatus. The processor is configured to stop the ejection of the shaping material and, thereafter, prior to resumption of the ejection of the shaping material, execute material purge processing for discharging the shaping material remaining in the melting section to a region different from the shaping region. The suction member is located closer to the nozzle than the ejection-amount adjusting mechanism in the first channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventors: Kohei Yuwaki, Koichi Saito, Kazuhide Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11511489
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping device includes a chamber that has a shaping space; a heating unit configured to heat the shaping space; a base that has a shaping surface exposed to the shaping space; a discharge unit configured to discharge a shaping material toward the shaping surface while moving in a first direction in the shaping space heated by the heating unit and shape a three-dimensional shaped article; a first drive unit configured to move the base in a second direction crossing the first direction; and a tubular first heat resistant member that is disposed between a peripheral part of a first opening formed in a partition wall of the chamber and the base, configured to extend and contract in the second direction in accordance with a movement of the base in the second direction, and defines a separation space separated from the shaping space, in which at least a part of the first drive unit is disposed in the separation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventors: Kohei Yuwaki, Koichi Saito
  • Publication number: 20220347934
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a melting section providing a shaping material to a channel, a nozzle ejecting the shaping material to a shaping region of a shaping table, an ejection-amount adjusting mechanism adjusting an amount of the shaping material from the nozzle, a suction member sucking the shaping material in the channel, a memory configured to store a program, and a processor configured to execute the program so as to control the three-dimensional shaping apparatus. The processor is configured to stop the ejection of the shaping material and, thereafter, prior to resumption of the ejection of the shaping material, execute material purge processing for discharging the shaping material remaining in the melting section to a region different from the shaping region. The suction member is located closer to the nozzle than the ejection-amount adjusting mechanism in the first channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Kohei YUWAKI, Koichi SAITO, Kazuhide NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20220347935
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a plasticizing portion plasticizing a material to generate a shaping material, a nozzle having a discharge port discharging the shaping material toward a table, a movement mechanism changing a relative position between the nozzle and the table, a discharge control mechanism provided in a flow path which connects the plasticizing portion to the nozzle and controlling a discharge amount of the shaping material from the nozzle, and a control portion controlling the plasticizing portion, the movement mechanism, and the discharge control mechanism to shape the three-dimensional shaping object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Kohei YUWAKI, Satoshi YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 11485061
    Abstract: A plasticization device includes: a rotor rotated by a drive motor and having a groove forming surface in which a first groove portion is formed along a rotation direction; a rotor case configured to accommodate the rotor; a barrel facing the groove forming surface and having a through hole; a first heating unit configured to heat the rotor or the barrel; and a cooling mechanism configured to cool a side surface of the rotor. In the plasticization device, a material supplied between the first groove portion and the barrel is plasticized by rotation of the rotor and heating by the first heating unit to flow out from the through hole, and the side surface of the rotor has a material guiding port configured to guide the material to the first groove portion, and a second groove portion configured to feed the material supplied between the rotor and the rotor case to the material guiding port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventors: Kohei Yuwaki, Kazuhide Nakamura, Koichi Saito
  • Patent number: 11472121
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping apparatus includes a plasticizing portion plasticizing a material to generate a shaping material, a nozzle having a discharge port discharging the shaping material toward a table, a movement mechanism changing a relative position between the nozzle and the table, a discharge control mechanism provided in a flow path which connects the plasticizing portion to the nozzle and controlling a discharge amount of the shaping material from the nozzle, and a control portion controlling the plasticizing portion, the movement mechanism, and the discharge control mechanism to shape the three-dimensional shaping object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventors: Kohei Yuwaki, Satoshi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11440227
    Abstract: The plasticization device includes: a rotor rotating centered on a rotation axis by a drive motor and having a groove forming surface in which a first groove portion is formed along a rotation direction; a rotor case configured to accommodate the rotor; a barrel facing the groove forming surface and having a through hole; and a heating unit, in which a material supplied between the first groove portion and the barrel is plasticized by rotation of the rotor and heating by the heating unit to flow out from the through hole, and a side surface of the rotor has a material guiding port configured to guide the material to the first groove portion, and a second groove portion configured to feed the material supplied between the rotor and the rotor case to the material guiding port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventors: Kohei Yuwaki, Kazuhide Nakamura, Koichi Saito
  • Patent number: 11420372
    Abstract: A flow rate adjusting device includes a main body portion having a first opening portion to which a molten material is supplied, a second opening portion from which the molten material is discharged, a supply flow path communicating with the first opening portion and the second opening portion, and a cross hole intersecting the supply flow path; and a shaft-shaped valve portion disposed inside the cross hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventor: Kohei Yuwaki
  • Patent number: 11413809
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping device includes a plasticization unit configured to plasticize a material into a shaping material using a rotating screw; a drive unit configured to rotate the screw; a supply flow path through which the shaping material flows; a nozzle configured to discharge the shaping material; a discharge amount adjusting mechanism configured to switch between stop and restart of discharge of the shaping material from the nozzle by a valve portion provided in the supply flow path; a pressure measuring portion configured to measure a pressure of the shaping material in the supply flow path between the plasticization unit and the valve portion; and a control unit configured to adjust rotation of the screw by controlling the drive unit according to a measured value of the pressure which is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventors: Taki Hashimoto, Kohei Yuwaki, Atsushi Majima
  • Publication number: 20220234280
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping device includes a plasticization unit configured to plasticize a material into a shaping material using a rotating screw; a drive unit configured to rotate the screw; a supply flow path through which the shaping material flows; a nozzle configured to discharge the shaping material; a discharge amount adjusting mechanism configured to switch between stop and restart of discharge of the shaping material from the nozzle by a valve portion provided in the supply flow path; a pressure measuring portion configured to measure a pressure of the shaping material in the supply flow path between the plasticization unit and the valve portion; and a control unit configured to adjust rotation of the screw by controlling the drive unit according to a measured value of the pressure which is measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Taki HASHIMOTO, Kohei YUWAKI, Atsushi MAJIMA
  • Patent number: 11370168
    Abstract: A 3D modeling device that forms a 3D object includes: a stage; a nozzle through which a fused material is ejected; a build plate disposed on the stage, the build plate receiving the fused material ejected through the nozzle to build the 3D object on the build plate; and a plasticizing member configured to plasticize a thermoplastic material to form the fused material. The plasticizing member includes: a flat screw having a grooved surface in which a groove is provided, the groove extending in a helical shape; a screw-facing piece having a communication path and a screw-facing surface facing the grooved surface; and a drive motor configured to rotate the flat screw. The groove continuously helically extends toward a material inlet from which the thermoplastic material in solid form is supplied, and the material inlet is provided on a side face of the flat screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventors: Koichi Saito, Shunsuke Mizukami, Kazuhide Nakamura, Kohei Yuwaki
  • Patent number: 11351731
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping device includes a nozzle that discharges a shaping material, a stage that includes a stacking surface on which the shaping material is stacked, a moving mechanism that changes a relative position between the nozzle and the stage, a distance measurement mechanism that is disposed at a position facing the nozzle, a cleaning mechanism that cleans a tip end surface of the nozzle, and a control unit that controls the moving mechanism while discharging the shaping material from the nozzle towards the stacking surface so as to shape a three-dimensional shaped object. The control unit measures a first value relating to a distance between the tip end surface of the nozzle and the stacking surface after the tip end surface of the nozzle is cleaned, and controls the moving mechanism based on the first value to adjust the distance between the stacking surface and the tip end surface of the nozzle to a predetermined distance to shape the three-dimensional shaped object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventors: Kohei Yuwaki, Masayuki Gozu, Koichi Saito
  • Patent number: 11345090
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaping device includes a nozzle that discharges a shaping material from a discharge port formed on a tip end surface, a stage that includes a stacking surface on which the shaping material is stacked, a distance measurement mechanism that is disposed at a position facing the nozzle, a cleaning mechanism that cleans the tip end surface of the nozzle, and a control unit that controls the distance measurement mechanism to measure a value relating to a facing distance between the nozzle and the stacking surface after the cleaning mechanism cleans the tip end surface of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Kohei Yuwaki, Masayuki Gozu, Koichi Saito