Patents by Inventor Koki Watanabe

Koki Watanabe 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: 20070295707
    Abstract: An image heating member includes a first region having a Curie temperature higher than a preset temperature, and a second region having a Curie temperature lower than the Curie temperature of the first region. A width of the first region in a conveying direction of a recording material is equal to or larger than a width of the recording material of a maximum size to be fed. The second region is provided outside the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Watanabe, Shouhei Takeda, Shinichiro Wakahara, Jiro Shirakata, Koji Takematsu, Koichiro Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20070228034
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes magnetic flux generating means; a rotatable heat generation member for generating heat by a magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generating means to heat a recording material; a magnetic flux adjusting member, disposed between the magnetic flux generating means and the heat generation member, for adjusting a magnetic flux effective region for the heat generation member, with respect to a longitudinal direction which is perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material; moving means for moving the magnetic flux adjusting member to a predetermined magnetic flux adjusting position to adjust a temperature distribution of the heat generation member with respect to the longitudinal direction; and a drive receiving portion, disposed at opposite end portions of the magnetic flux adjusting member, for receiving a driving force from the moving means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichiro Wakahara, Koki Watanabe, Jiro Shirakata, Koji Takematsu
  • Patent number: 7271371
    Abstract: A fixation apparatus having a good fixability in its longitudinal direction and an image forming apparatus are provided. The fixation apparatus includes an electromagnetic induction heating member which is a hollow rotation member, and a magnetic flux generation member for causing the electromagnetic induction heating member to generate heat by generating magnetic flux in the electromagnetic induction heating member. The fixation apparatus fixes a toner image on a recording material by imparting heat energy by heat generation of the electromagnetic induction heating member to the recording material to be conveyed. The electromagnetic induction heating member has a different thickness in the longitudinal direction thereof and a uniform diameter at a surface facing the magnetic flux generation means in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Takematsu, Koki Watanabe, Shinichiro Wakahara, Jiro Shirakata
  • Patent number: 7199339
    Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating a material to be heated by heat generated by induction heat generation member includes a magnetic flux generator, a holder for holding and fixing the magnetic flux generator, and an induction heating member which generates heat by electromagnetic induction heating by an action of magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generator. A magnetic flux adjuster adjusts an area in which magnetic flux acts on the magnetic flux generator in a longitudinal direction, of the induction heat generation member, perpendicular to a conveyance direction of a material to be heated. The magnetic flux adjuster includes a magnetic flux adjusting member capable of coming into surface contact with the holder in the longitudinal direction of the induction heat generation member and a moving element for moving the magnetic flux adjusting member by sliding the magnetic flux adjusting member on the surface of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jiro Shirakata, Shinichiro Wakahara, Koji Takematsu, Koki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7197270
    Abstract: A heating apparatus of an electromagnetic inductive heat generating type has a coil for generating a magnetic flux, a roller member for generating heat by the magnetic flux from the coil, and heating a material to be heated, and a magnetic flux shield member for shielding the magnetic flux from the coil to the roller member to thereby vary the generated heat distribution of the roller member, wherein provision is made for a guide provided in non-contact with the roller member for guiding the movement of the magnetic flux shield member to a predetermined magnetic flux suppressing position, thereby realizing an improvement in the faulty operation of the magnetic flux shield member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daijiro Kato, Koki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20060204292
    Abstract: A heating apparatus of an electromagnetic inductive heat generating type using magnetic flux shield means, having a coil for generating a magnetic flux, a roller member for generating heat by the magnetic flux from the coil, and heating a material to be heated, and a magnetic flux shield member for shielding the magnetic flux from the coil to the roller member to thereby vary the generated heat distribution of the roller member, wherein provision is made of guide means provided in non-contact with the roller member for guiding the movement of the magnetic flux shield member to a predetermined magnetic flux suppressing position, thereby realizing an improvement in the faulty operation of the magnetic flux shield member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daijiro Kato, Koki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20060204291
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus of electromagnetic induction heating-type capable of providing a proper relative heat-generation distance with a magnetic flux generation member even when the magnetic flux generation member is bent by its own weight or thermally deformed includes at least an exciting coil, a holder for holding the exciting coil, and a rotatable fixation roller for generating heat by magnetic flux from the exciting coil to heat a material to be heated. The holder has an outer diameter ?d1 at a central portion and an outer diameter ?d2 at an end portion in a longitudinal direction of the holder perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the material to be heated. The outer diameters ?d1 and ?d2 satisfies: ?d1<?d2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koki Watanabe, Daijiro Kato
  • Patent number: 7099616
    Abstract: A heating apparatus of an electromagnetic inductive heat generating type using a magnetic flux shield member, the heating apparatus including a coil for generating a magnetic flux, a roller member for generating heat by the magnetic flux from the coil, and heating a material to be heated, the magnetic flux shield member for shielding the magnetic flux from the coil to the roller member to thereby vary the generated heat distribution of the roller member, and a guide member provided in non-contact with the roller member for guiding the movement of the magnetic flux shield member to a predetermined magnetic flux suppressing position, thereby realizing an improvement in the faulty operation of the magnetic flux shield member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daijiro Kato, Koki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20060138126
    Abstract: An electromagnetic induction coil unit for use with an electromagnetic induction heating-type image heating apparatus includes magnetic flux generation means comprising an exciting coil and a magnetic core; a core holder for holding the magnetic core; a coil holder for holding the exciting coil and the core holder holding the magnetic core; and a resin cured after being poured in a liquid state into a structure in which the exciting coil and the coil holder, and the magnetic fore and the core holder are incorporated so as to integrally mold the exciting coil, the magnetic core, the core holder, and the coil holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20060086722
    Abstract: A fixation apparatus having a good fixability in its longitudinal direction and an image forming apparatus are provided. The fixation apparatus includes an electromagnetic induction heating member which is a hollow rotation member, and a magnetic flux generation member for causing the electromagnetic induction heating member to generate heat by generating magnetic flux in the electromagnetic induction heating member. The fixation apparatus fixes a toner image on a recording material by imparting heat energy by heat generation of the electromagnetic induction heating member to the recording material to be conveyed. The electromagnetic induction heating member has a different thickness in the longitudinal direction thereof and a uniform diameter at a surface facing the magnetic flux generation means in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Takematsu, Koki Watanabe, Shinichiro Wakahara, Jiro Shirakata
  • Publication number: 20060089314
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a heating roller for heating an image on a recording material; a coil unit disposed in said heating roller and including a coil for induction heat generation in said heating roller; a supporting member for rotatably supporting said heating roller, wherein said supporting member including a holding portion for substantially non-rotatably holding said coil unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichiro Wakahara, Koki Watanabe, Jiro Shirakata, Koji Takematsu
  • Publication number: 20060086721
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes magnetic flux generating means; a rotatable heat generation member for generating heat by a magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generating means to heat a recording material; a magnetic flux adjusting member, disposed between the magnetic flux generating means and the heat generation member, for adjusting a magnetic flux effective region for the heat generation member, with respect to a longitudinal direction which is perpendicular to a feeding direction of the recording material; moving means for moving the magnetic flux adjusting member to a predetermined magnetic flux adjusting position to adjust a temperature distribution of the heat generation member with respect to the longitudinal direction; and a drive receiving portion, disposed at opposite end portions of the magnetic flux adjusting member, for receiving a driving force from the moving means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichiro Wakahara, Koki Watanabe, Jiro Shirakata, Koji Takematsu
  • Publication number: 20060086727
    Abstract: An image heating device includes magnetic flux generating means; a heat generating element for generating heat by a magnetic flux from the magnetic flux generating means to heat an image on a recording material; a magnetic flux confining member for confining the magnetic flux directed toward the heat generating element from the magnetic flux generating means, the magnetic flux confining member including a magnetic flux confining portion for confining the magnetic flux directed toward a predetermined region of the heat generating element at a predetermined magnetic flux confining position and a connecting portion connecting with the magnetic flux confining portion in a longitudinal direction of the heat generating element to hold the magnetic flux confining portion; and moving means for moving the magnetic flux confining member to a magnetic flux confining position or to a retracted position where the magnetic flux confining member is retracted from the magnetic flux confining position, wherein the connecting
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Takematsu, Koki Watanabe, Shinichiro Wakahara, Jiro Shirakata
  • Publication number: 20060088333
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a fixing apparatus 9 that performs electromagnetic induction-heating due to an operation of magnetic fluxes emitted from a magnetic flux generating unit, and a high-frequency power supply circuit which supplies a high-frequency current to the magnetic flux generating unit. The high-frequency power supply circuit is disposed in a casing frame of a main body of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Watanabe, Shinichiro Wakahara, Jiro Shirakata, Koji Takematsu, Shinichiro Hosoi
  • Publication number: 20060086725
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for an image heating apparatus for heating an image on a recording material by a heat from a heat generating element for producing heat by a magnetic flux generated by magnetic flux generating means, the apparatus including a magnetic flux confining member for confining a magnetic flux directing toward a predetermined region of the heat generating element from the magnetic flux generating means, and a first drive transmission member, provided at one end of the magnetic flux confining member, for transmitting rotational drive to the magnetic flux confining member and a second drive transmission member, provided at the other end of the magnetic flux confining member, for transmitting rotational drive to the magnetic flux confining member, the method comprising an adjusting step of adjusting such that first and second drive transmission members are supported by the magnetic flux confining member with a predetermined rotational position relation, using marks provided on the first and second
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichiro Hosoi, Koki Watanabe, Shinichiro Wakahara, Jiro Shirakata, Koji Takematsu
  • Publication number: 20060086731
    Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating a material to be heated by heat generated by induction heat generation member includes a magnetic flux generator, a holder for holding and fixing the magnetic flux generator, and an induction heating member which generates heat by electromagnetic induction heating by an action of magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generator. A magnetic flux adjuster adjusts an area in which magnetic flux acts on the magnetic flux generator in a longitudinal direction, of the induction heat generation member, perpendicular to a conveyance direction of a material to be heated. The magnetic flux adjuster includes a magnetic flux adjusting member capable of coming into surface contact with the holder in the longitudinal direction of the induction heat generation member and a moving element for moving the magnetic flux adjusting member by sliding the magnetic flux adjusting member on the surface of the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jiro Shirakata, Shinichiro Wakahara, Koji Takematsu, Koki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20060085185
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus comprising: an operating part which operates the image forming apparatus; an optional first speaker which outputs information guiding operation of the operating part; and a second speaker which outputs sound information that is different from operation guidance information; wherein when the first speaker and the second speaker disposed such that a surface of the first speaker is directed to a front surface of the image forming apparatus that is opposed to the operating part, and a surface of the second speaker is directed to a side surface of the image forming apparatus that is different from the first speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koki Watanabe, Shinichirou Wakahara, Jiro Shirakata, Koji Takematsu, Shinichirou Hosoi
  • Patent number: 6836638
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning member, which is contactable to a moving image bearing member to clean a surface of the image bearing member; a holder holds the cleaning member; and a vibrator. The holder is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the image bearing member. The vibrating means is supported by the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhumi Muto, Jun Asai, Koki Watanabe, Keizo Ogara
  • Publication number: 20040253027
    Abstract: A heating apparatus of an electromagnetic inductive heat generating type using a magnetic flux shield member, the heating apparatus including a coil for generating a magnetic flux, a roller member for generating heat by the magnetic flux from the coil, and heating a material to be heated, the magnetic flux shield member for shielding the magnetic flux from the coil to the roller member to thereby vary the generated heat distribution of the roller member, and a guide member provided in non-contact with the roller member for guiding the movement of the magnetic flux shield member to a predetermined magnetic flux suppressing position, thereby realizing an improvement in the faulty operation of the magnetic flux shield member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daijiro Kato, Koki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6801747
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning member for cleaning a surface of an image bearing member while it is moving, a holding member for holding the cleaning member, a vibrating member which per se is vibratable, and a controller for controlling operation of the vibrating member. The holding member is movable toward and away from the image bearing member, the vibrating member is held on the holding member, and the controller actuates the vibrating member upon stoppage of movement of the image bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keizo Ogara, Jun Asai, Koki Watanabe