Patents by Inventor Michio Uchida
Michio Uchida 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).
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Patent number: 11733629Abstract: A fixing device to fix a toner image formed on a recording medium to the recording medium includes a rotating member, a guide member, a holding member, and a roller. The roller contacts with an outer surface of the rotating member and forms a fixing nip portion together with the guide member between the rotating member and the roller. The fixing device fixes the recording medium toner image to the recording medium while pinching and conveying the recording medium in the fixing nip portion. The guide member is pivotable relative to the holding member about a pivot point that is a shaft substantially perpendicular to a surface of the fixing nip portion. When the rotating member slides on the guide member, the guide member pivots due to a force received from the rotating member so that alignment of the guide member with respect to the holding member is corrected.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tetsuya Sano, Michio Uchida
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Publication number: 20220390883Abstract: A fixing device to fix a toner image formed on a recording medium to the recording medium includes a rotating member, a guide member, a holding member, and a roller. The roller contacts with an outer surface of the rotating member and forms a fixing nip portion together with the guide member between the rotating member and the roller. The fixing device fixes the recording medium toner image to the recording medium while pinching and conveying the recording medium in the fixing nip portion. The guide member is pivotable relative to the holding member about a pivot point that is a shaft substantially perpendicular to a surface of the fixing nip portion. When the rotating member slides on the guide member, the guide member pivots due to a force received from the rotating member so that alignment of the guide member with respect to the holding member is corrected.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Tetsuya Sano, Michio Uchida
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Patent number: 10452012Abstract: A cylindrical fixing member for use with a fixing device includes a heat generating layer and an electrode layer contacting the heat generating layer. The electrode layer is smaller in volume resistance value than the heat generating layer. The electrode layer is formed in a helical shape so that a helical axis thereof extends in a direction along a generatrix direction of the fixing member. One end and the other end of the electrode layer are electrically open.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masatake Usui, Takaaki Tsuruya, Yasuo Yoda, Yasunari Kobaru, Akira Kato, Hiroki Eguchi, Michio Uchida, Tetsuya Sano, Atsuyoshi Abe, Aoji Isono, Minoru Hayasaki, Hiroshi Mano, Yuki Nishizawa, Akira Kuroda
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Patent number: 10185256Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a sheet includes a main assembly, an image forming station provided in the main assembly and configured to form a toner image on the sheet, and a fixing portion provided in the main assembly and configured to fix the toner image formed on the sheet, on the sheet, the fixing portion including a fixing rotatable member and a covering member covering the rotatable member. The image forming apparatus also includes a suction mechanism including a duct connected with an opening provided in the covering member, and a fan configured to suck air inside the covering member through the duct. The air sucked by the suction mechanism is discharged into a space in the main assembly other than a space through which the sheet passes.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Seiji Inada, Seiji Obata, Shizuma Nishimura, Michio Uchida, Yoji Oya
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Publication number: 20190018350Abstract: A cylindrical fixing member for use with a fixing device includes a heat generating layer and an electrode layer contacting the heat generating layer. The electrode layer is smaller in volume resistance value than the heat generating layer. The electrode layer is formed in a helical shape so that a helical axis thereof extends in a direction along a generatrix direction of the fixing member. One end and the other end of the electrode layer are electrically open.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Masatake Usui, Takaaki Tsuruya, Yasuo Yoda, Yasunari Kobaru, Akira Kato, Hiroki Eguchi, Michio Uchida, Tetsuya Sano, Atsuyoshi Abe, Aoji Isono, Minoru Hayasaki, Hiroshi Mano, Yuki Nishizawa, Akira Kuroda
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Publication number: 20180088499Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming a toner image on a sheet, the image forming apparatus includes a main assembly; an image forming station provided in the main assembly and configured to form a toner image on the sheet; a fixing portion provided in the main assembly and configured to fix the toner image formed on the sheet, on the sheet, the fixing portion including a fixing rotatable member and a covering member covering the rotatable member; and a suction mechanism including a duct connected with an opening provided in the covering member and a fan configured to suck air inside the covering member through the duct, wherein the air sucked by the suction mechanism is discharged into a space in the main assembly other than a space through which the sheet passes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Seiji Inada, Seiji Obata, Shizuma Nishimura, Michio Uchida, Yoji Oya
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Publication number: 20170176897Abstract: An image heating apparatus configured to heat an image formed on a recording material includes a cylindrical rotatable member including a conductive layer, a magnetic core inserted through the rotatable member, a coil helically wound around an outer side of the magnetic core within the rotatable member, and an inverter configured to supply an alternating current to the coil. A frequency of the alternating current supplied from the inverter is within a range of 20.5 to 100 kHz. The conductive layer generates heat by electromagnetic induction due to an alternating magnetic field produced from the alternating current supplied to the coil. The coil is wound at an interval of 1 mm or longer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Yuki Nishizawa, Hiroshi Mano, Minoru Hayasaki, Aoji Isono, Yosuke Kitagawa, Katsuhisa Matsunaka, Kimitaka Ichinose, Michio Uchida
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Patent number: 9618884Abstract: An image heating apparatus configured to heat an image formed on a recording material includes a cylindrical rotatable member including a conductive layer, a magnetic core inserted through the rotatable member, a coil helically wound around an outer side of the magnetic core within the rotatable member, and an inverter configured to supply an alternating current to the coil. A frequency of the alternating current supplied from the inverter is within a range of 20.5 to 100 kHz. The conductive layer generates heat by electromagnetic induction due to an alternating magnetic field produced from the alternating current supplied to the coil. The coil is wound at an interval of 1 mm or longer.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuki Nishizawa, Hiroshi Mano, Minoru Hayasaki, Aoji Isono, Yosuke Kitagawa, Katsuhisa Matsunaka, Kimitaka Ichinose, Michio Uchida
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Patent number: 9618889Abstract: A fixing device configured to fix an image on a recording material, includes: a rotary member including an electroconductive layer; a coil which has a spiral shaped portion and is disposed in the inside of the rotary member; and a core disposed in the spiral shaped portion; with magnetic resistance of the core being, with an area from one end to the other end of the maximum passage region of the image on the recording material regarding the generatrix direction, equal to or smaller than 30% of combined magnetic resistance made up of magnetic resistance of the electroconductive layer and magnetic resistance of a region between the electroconductive layer and the core.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuki Nishizawa, Hiroshi Mano, Minoru Hayasaki, Aoji Isono, Akira Kuroda, Toshio Miyamoto, Michio Uchida, Seiji Uchiyama
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Publication number: 20160231679Abstract: A fixing device configured to fix an image on a recording material, includes: a rotary member including an electroconductive layer; a coil which has a spiral shaped portion and is disposed in the inside of the rotary member; and a core disposed in the spiral shaped portion; with magnetic resistance of the core being, with an area from one end to the other end of the maximum passage region of the image on the recording material regarding the generatrix direction, equal to or smaller than 30% of combined magnetic resistance made up of magnetic resistance of the electroconductive layer and magnetic resistance of a region between the electroconductive layer and the core.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Yuki Nishizawa, Hiroshi Mano, Minoru Hayasaki, Aoji Isono, Akira Kuroda, Toshio Miyamoto, Michio Uchida, Seiji Uchiyama
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Patent number: 9405249Abstract: A fixing device includes: a rotatable member including an electroconductive layer; a helical coil having a helical axis direction along a generatrix direction of the rotatable member; a magnetic member not forming a loop outside the electroconductive layer; a frequency setting portion for setting a frequency of an AC current caused to flow through the coil; and a temperature detecting portion for detecting a temperature of the rotatable member, including a first temperature detecting member and a second temperature detecting member. The electroconductive layer generates heat through electromagnetic induction heating by magnetic flux resulting from the AC current, and an image is fixed on a recording material by heat of the rotatable member. The frequency setting portion sets the frequency depending on a value of a difference between a detection temperature of the first temperature detecting member and a detection temperature of the second temperature detecting member.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2015Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahide Hirai, Munehito Kurata, Shinji Hashiguchi, Shizuma Nishimura, Michio Uchida, Hisahiro Saito
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Patent number: 9377733Abstract: A fixing device configured to fix an image on a recording material, includes: a rotary member including an electroconductive layer; a coil which has a spiral shaped portion and is disposed in the inside of the rotary member; and a core disposed in the spiral shaped portion; with magnetic resistance of the core being, with an area from one end to the other end of the maximum passage region of the image on the recording material regarding the generatrix direction, equal to or smaller than 30% of combined magnetic resistance made up of magnetic resistance of the electroconductive layer and magnetic resistance of a region between the electroconductive layer and the core.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuki Nishizawa, Hiroshi Mano, Minoru Hayasaki, Aoji Isono, Akira Kuroda, Toshio Miyamoto, Michio Uchida, Seiji Uchiyama
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Patent number: 9342009Abstract: A fixing device configured to fix an image on a recording material, includes: a rotary member including an electroconductive layer; a coil which has a spiral shaped portion and is disposed in the inside of the rotary member; and a core disposed in the spiral shaped portion; with magnetic resistance of the core being, with an area from one end to the other end of the maximum passage region of the image on the recording material regarding the generatrix direction, equal to or smaller than 30% of combined magnetic resistance made up of magnetic resistance of the electroconductive layer and magnetic resistance of a region between the electroconductive layer and the core.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yuki Nishizawa, Hiroshi Mano, Minoru Hayasaki, Aoji Isono, Akira Kuroda, Toshio Miyamoto, Michio Uchida, Seiji Uchiyama
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Patent number: 9323186Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes: an image forming portion for forming the image on the recording material; a fixing portion, including a cylindrical rotatable member having a heat generating layer, for fixing the image on the recording material by heat of the rotatable member; and a temperature detecting portion for detecting a temperature of the rotatable member. The temperature detecting portion monitors a temperature change amount during one rotation of the rotatable member. The rotatable member is heated by the heat generating layer generating heat by a flow of a current in a circumferential direction of the rotatable member. Depending on the temperature change amount, a notification of an abnormality of the image forming apparatus is generated.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Kita, Minoru Hayasaki, Kimitaka Ichinose, Michio Uchida
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Publication number: 20160026132Abstract: A fixing device includes: a rotatable member including an electroconductive layer; a helical coil having a helical axis direction along a generatrix direction of said rotatable member; a magnetic member not forming a loop outside the electroconductive layer; a frequency setting portion for setting a frequency of an AC current caused to flow through said coil; and a temperature detecting portion for detecting a temperature of said rotatable member, including a first temperature detecting member and a second temperature detecting member. The electroconductive layer generates heat through electromagnetic induction heating by magnetic flux resulting from the AC current, and an image is fixed on a recording material by heat of said rotatable member. The frequency setting portion sets the frequency depending on a value of a difference between a detection temperature of said first temperature detecting member and a detection temperature of said second temperature detecting member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Masahide Hirai, Munehito Kurata, Shinji Hashiguchi, Shizuma Nishimura, Michio Uchida, Hisahiro Saito
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Patent number: 9213273Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member for bearing a toner image; a belt for conveying the toner image; and a transfer device for rubbing the belt, and a surface of the transfer device, which is brought into contact with the belt includes linear concave portions or linear convex portions. The image forming apparatus of the present invention prevents a friction force between the belt and the transfer device rubbing the belt from increasing and brings a transfer member into a stable contact with the belt for conveying the toner image, thereby suppressing increase in drive torque of the belt which rubs the transfer device and suppressing occurrence of image failure.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuhiro Doda, Masaru Shimura, Shigeru Hoashi, Kenji Kanari, Seiji Saito, Takashi Shimada, Takaaki Akamatsu, Michio Uchida, Ken Nakagawa, Takamitsu Soda, Shuichi Tetsuno
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Publication number: 20150168889Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes: an image forming portion for forming the image on the recording material; a fixing portion, including a cylindrical rotatable member having a heat generating layer, for fixing the image on the recording material by heat of the rotatable member; and a temperature detecting portion for detecting a temperature of the rotatable member. The temperature detecting portion monitors a temperature change amount during one rotation of the rotatable member. The rotatable member is heated by the heat generating layer generating heat by a flow of a current in a circumferential direction of the rotatable member. Depending on the temperature change amount, abnormality of the image forming apparatus is notified.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Hiroshi Kita, Minoru Hayasaki, Kimitaka Ichinose, Michio Uchida
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Publication number: 20150168895Abstract: An image heating apparatus configured to heat an image formed on a recording material includes a cylindrical rotatable member including a conductive layer, a magnetic core inserted through the rotatable member, a coil helically wound around an outer side of the magnetic core within the rotatable member, and an inverter configured to supply an alternating current to the coil. A frequency of the alternating current supplied from the inverter is within a range of 20.5 to 100 kHz. The conductive layer generates heat by electromagnetic induction due to an alternating magnetic field produced from the alternating current supplied to the coil. The coil is wound at an interval of 1 mm or longer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Yuki Nishizawa, Hiroshi Mano, Minoru Hayasaki, Aoji Isono, Yosuke Kitagawa, Katsuhisa Matsunaka, Kimitaka Ichinose, Michio Uchida
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Publication number: 20150132035Abstract: A fixing device configured to fix an image on a recording material, includes: a rotary member including an electroconductive layer; a coil which has a spiral shaped portion and is disposed in the inside of the rotary member; and a core disposed in the spiral shaped portion; with magnetic resistance of the core being, with an area from one end to the other end of the maximum passage region of the image on the recording material regarding the generatrix direction, equal to or smaller than 30% of combined magnetic resistance made up of magnetic resistance of the electroconductive layer and magnetic resistance of a region between the electroconductive layer and the core.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Yuki Nishizawa, Hiroshi Mano, Minoru Hayasaki, Aoji Isono, Akira Kuroda, Toshio Miyamoto, Michio Uchida, Seiji Uchiyama
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Patent number: 8958709Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, one of a plurality of support members supporting an intermediate transfer belt is a guide member configured to regulate the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer belt while being held in sliding contact with the intermediate transfer belt at a position opposite the secondary transfer member across the intermediate transfer belt. This guide member is equipped with a first resistor portion in sliding contact with the intermediate transfer belt and a second resistor portion of a higher electrical resistance than the first resistor portion, with the second resistor portion provided upstream of the first resistor portion in the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer belt.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Suzuki, Masaru Shimura, Shinji Katagiri, Tatsuya Kinukawa, Shigeru Hoashi, Akinori Takayama, Takeo Kawanami, Michio Uchida