Patents by Inventor Masaaki Sato

Masaaki Sato 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: 11573521
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable, the developer container including an accommodating portion, and a supporting portion, wherein the developer container includes a projection portion that is provided at one end portion thereof in the rotation axis direction of the developer bearing member and projects toward the supporting portion more than a center portion of the developer container in a crossing direction crossing the rotation axis direction, the projection portion communicates with the accommodating portion and includes, at a distal end portion thereof, an attachment portion configured such that the replenishment container is attachable thereto in a state of being exposed to the outside of the apparatus, and a replenishment port for replenishing the accommodating portion with developer from the replenishment container is defined in the attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Hiroshi Takarada, Kenji Matsuzaka, Takao Sameshima, Tomio Noguchi, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Masaaki Sato
  • Patent number: 11573524
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a developing roller, a downstream side drive transmission member, an upstream side drive transmission member, an elastic member for urging the downstream side drive transmission member toward a blocked position from a transmission position, and a maintaining member for maintaining the downstream side drive transmission member in the transmission position against an elastic force of the elastic member. The downstream side drive transmission member is coupled to the upstream side transmission member when the downstream side drive transmission member is in the transmission position, and the downstream side drive transmission member is not coupled to the upstream side transmission member when the downstream side drive transmission member is in the blocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sohta Sugimoto, Masaaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20230026290
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion that accommodates developer and a replenishment port, an agitation member, an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position, a drive source for driving the agitation member, and a control portion configured to control the drive source. The apparatus is configured such that image formation is not possible when the opening/closing member is at the open position, and the agitation member is capable of driving in a case where the opening/closing member is at the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Hiroshi Takarada, Koji Fujinaka, Akitoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Susumu Nittani
  • Patent number: 11561503
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion for mounting a process cartridge, the process cartridge including a first unit having an image bearing drum, and a second unit having a developing roller, the second unit being movable between a contact position in which the roller contacts the drum and a spaced position in which they are mutually spaced; an engageable member engageable with a force receiving portion provided on the second unit; wherein the engageable member is movable between a first position for maintaining the second unit in the spaced position by engaging with the force receiving portion, a second position for permitting movement of the second unit from the spaced position to the contact position; and a third position for permitting the process cartridge to be mounted, by being pressed by the process cartridge to retract, when the process cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Yoshimura, Tomio Noguchi, Yukio Kubo, Masaaki Sato, Satoshi Nishiya, Yosuke Kashiide
  • Patent number: 11556088
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion and a replenishment port, a transfer portion configured to transfer a developer image on an image bearing member onto a recording material, a supporting tray including a supporting surface configured to support the recording material thereon, and a discharge portion configured to discharge the recording material, onto which the developer image has been transferred, on the supporting surface, wherein the supporting surface has an opening portion opening such that the replenishment port is exposed through the supporting surface, and wherein an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position where the opening/closing member covers the replenishment port and serves as a part of the supporting surface and an open position where the replenishment port is exposed is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomio Noguchi, Masaaki Sato, Kenji Matsuzaka, Koji Fujinaka, Takao Sameshima, Akitoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida
  • Publication number: 20220415098
    Abstract: A car washing includes a processor. The processor is configured to acquire vehicle type information and a travel history from a vehicle, estimate dirtiness of the vehicle based on the vehicle type information and the travel history, and execute car washing corresponding to an estimated degree of dirtiness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Teruaki HAIBARA, Kenji HOSHI, Masaaki SATO
  • Publication number: 20220410849
    Abstract: A carwash device receives vehicle attribute information indicating an attribute of a vehicle that is a car-washing target. The carwash device selects a car-washing mode based on the vehicle attribute information, and the carwash device drives a drive section for washing the vehicle such that the vehicle is washed in the selected car-washing mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Teruaki HAIBARA, Kenji HOSHI, Masaaki SATO
  • Publication number: 20220413485
    Abstract: A carwash device receives vehicle state information transmitted from a vehicle control device of a vehicle. The carwash device controls so as to drive a drive section for washing the vehicle based on the received vehicle state information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Teruaki HAIBARA, Kenji HOSHI, Masaaki SATO
  • Publication number: 20220402524
    Abstract: A driving control device including a processor. The processor detects that a vehicle has encroached into an area configured for car-washing by a carwash machine, switches a travel mode of the vehicle to autonomous driving, and controls the vehicle so as to stop at a carwash position for the carwash machine under autonomous driving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Teruaki HAIBARA, Kenji HOSHI, Masaaki SATO
  • Publication number: 20220404735
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to accommodate developer containing toner, a developer bearing member to rotate while bearing the developer accommodated in the developer container and develop the electrostatic latent image borne on an image bearing member into a developer image, a detection portion to output remainder amount information corresponding to an amount of the developer accommodated in the developer container, and a notification portion capable of notifying a first state indicating that a remainder amount of the developer accommodated in the developer container is a first amount or more and a second state indicating that the remainder amount of the developer accommodated in the developer container is less than the first amount. The notification portion notifies one of a plurality of states including the first state and the second state on a basis of the remainder amount information output from the detection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Koji Fujinaka, Takao Sameshima, Tomio Noguchi, Akitoshi Toyota, Susumu Nittani
  • Publication number: 20220389587
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a new electroless plating film which can prevent the diffusion of molten solder to a metal material constituting a conductor. The present invention is an electroless Co—W plating film, wherein content of W is in an amount of 35 to 58 mass % and a thickness of the film is 0.05 ?m or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: C. Uyemura & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji IGUCHI, Akio ITAMURA, Shoichi FUKUI, Yukinori ODA, Masaaki SATO, Yoshihito II, Hiroki OKUBO
  • Publication number: 20220390568
    Abstract: A sensor system to be mounted on a vehicle includes a LiDAR, a camera, a housing that accommodates the LiDAR and the camera and a cleaner that is attached to the housing and has at least one nozzle configured to clean a first cleaning target surface corresponding to the LiDAR and a second cleaning target surface corresponding to the camera at the same time using a cleaning medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akinobu KUBOTA, Taishi HACHIYA, Masaaki SATO, Kazuhiro SUZUKI, Toshihisa HAYAMI, Yusuke TOTSUKA, Masayuki MIWA
  • Patent number: 11520284
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes (i) a rotatable developing roller for developing a latent image formed on a photosensitive member; (ii) a first drive transmission member capable of receiving a rotational force originated by the main assembly; (iii) a second drive transmission member capable of coupling with the first drive transmission member and capable of transmitting the rotational force received by the first drive transmission member to the developing roller; and (iv) a coupling disconnection member including a force receiving portion capable of receiving the force originated by the main assembly, and an urging portion capable of urging at least one of the first drive transmission member and the second drive transmission member by the force received by the force receiving portion to separate one of the first drive transmission member and the second drive transmission member from the other, thereby disconnecting t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Masatoshi Yamashita, Satoshi Nishiya, Kazuhiko Kanno
  • Publication number: 20220379847
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to: in a case in which it has been determined that washing of the vehicle is to be carried out, transition a state of the vehicle from a current mode to a vehicle washing mode that stops a power source of the vehicle, stops operation of a first equipment that is provided at the vehicle and that displaces a movable portion of the vehicle, and permits operation of a second equipment that is provided at the vehicle and that is related to comfort within a vehicle cabin of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Teruaki HAIBARA, Kenji HOSHI, Masaaki SATO
  • Patent number: 11506996
    Abstract: A conveyance mechanism which includes a rotation shaft extending in a direction along a first direction connecting first and second discharge ports that is rotatable with a rotation axis extending in the first direction. Wherein, a first rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the first discharge port, and a second rotation conveyance unit is disposed on the rotation shaft, and is rotatable together with the rotation shaft, conveys developer toward the second discharge port. The second rotation conveyance unit is configured to provide a larger amount of conveyance than the first rotation conveyance unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takarada, Masaaki Sato, Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20220365462
    Abstract: A cartridge is configured to be attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus and configured to receive toner supplied from a supply container. The cartridge includes a supply port configured to receive the toner supplied from the supply container, a shutter member configured to cover the supply port, and a locking member. The locking member is moved from a lock position to an unlock position to allow movement of the shutter member by using electric power supplied from the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Hiroshi Takarada, Masaaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20220350292
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes (i) a rotatable developing roller for developing a latent image formed on a photosensitive member; (ii) a first drive transmission member capable of receiving a rotational force originated by the main assembly; (iii) a second drive transmission member capable of coupling with the first drive transmission member and capable of transmitting the rotational force received by the first drive transmission member to the developing roller; and (iv) a coupling disconnection member including a force receiving portion capable of receiving the force originated by the main assembly, and an urging portion capable of urging at least one of the first drive transmission member and the second drive transmission member by the force received by the force receiving portion to separate one of the first drive transmission member and the second drive transmission member from the other, thereby disconnecting t
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Masatoshi Yamashita, Satoshi Nishiya, Kazuhiko Kanno
  • Patent number: 11487222
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which the replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion that accommodates developer and a replenishment port, an agitation member, an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position, a drive source for driving the agitation member, and a control portion configured to control the drive source. The apparatus is configured such that image formation is not possible when the opening/closing member is at the open position, and the agitation member is capable of driving in a case where the opening/closing member is at the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Hiroshi Takarada, Koji Fujinaka, Akitoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Susumu Nittani
  • Publication number: 20220334516
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stacking portion which is a part of a top surface of an exterior of the image forming apparatus. The stacking portion is positioned downstream of a discharging outlet in a discharging direction and on which the recording material discharged from the discharging outlet is stacked and includes a first surface on which the recording material discharged from the discharging outlet is stacked, and a second surface which is positioned outward with respect to the discharging outlet in a width direction orthogonal to the discharging direction. A supplying inlet is located below the first surface, wherein a downstream end of the first surface is positioned downstream of a downstream end of the second surface in the discharging direction, and wherein the first surface is rotatable to expose the supplying inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Akinori Mitsumata, Takeo Kawanami, Masaaki Sato
  • Patent number: 11474478
    Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes (i) a rotatable developing roller for developing a latent image formed on a photosensitive member; (ii) a first drive transmission member capable of receiving a rotational force originated by the main assembly; (iii) a second drive transmission member capable of coupling with the first drive transmission member and capable of transmitting the rotational force received by the first drive transmission member to the developing roller; and (iv) a coupling disconnection member including a force receiving portion capable of receiving the force originated by the main assembly, and an urging portion capable of urging at least one of the first drive transmission member and the second drive transmission member by the force received by the force receiving portion to separate one of the first drive transmission member and the second drive transmission member from the other, thereby disconnecting t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Sato, Masatoshi Yamashita, Satoshi Nishiya, Kazuhiko Kanno