Patents by Inventor Minoru Wada

Minoru Wada 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: 20260104658
    Abstract: A magnet member is non-rotatably secured inside a developing sleeve, and includes a plurality of magnetic poles arranged along a rotation direction of the developing sleeve. The magnetic poles include a main pole facing the image carrying member, and a peeling pole that is disposed downstream of and adjacent to the main pole in the rotation direction of the developing sleeve and that peels off the developer carried on the developer carrying member. A magnetic-flux-density peak-position of the main pole is located below a horizontal line passing through a rotation center of the developing sleeve, and as viewed from an axial direction, an angle that a line extending from the magnetic-flux-density peak-position of the main pole to the rotation center of the developing sleeve forms with respect to the horizontal line passing through the rotation center of the developing sleeve is 40° or larger but 80° or smaller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2025
    Publication date: April 16, 2026
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru WADA, Tomohiro TAMAKI, Takeru NAGAMOTO
  • Patent number: 12474663
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, a charging device, an exposure device, a development device, and a development voltage power supply. The image carrying member has an amorphous silicon photosensitive layer formed on its surface. The development device includes a developer carrying member carrying two-component developer containing toner and carrier. The development voltage power supply applies to the developer carrying member a development voltage having an alternating-current voltage superposed on a direct-current voltage. When the blank part potential on the image carrying member is V0 [V], the direct-current voltage is Vdc [V], the peak-to-peak value of the alternating-current voltage Vac is Vpp [kV], and the gap between the image carrying member and the developer carrying member is Ds [mm], 10?V0?Vdc?90 and 1.2?Vpp/Ds?3.5 are fulfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Wada, Hiroshi Yamazaki, Asami Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20250271797
    Abstract: A control portion stops driving a developer carrying member at the end of a development process for a preceding image to be printed on the last sheet of a preceding copy and starts driving the developer carrying member when performing a development process for a subsequent image to be printed on the first sheet of the subsequent copy. Regardless of the length of a development driving suspension period after stopping driving the developer carrying member following the end of the development process for the preceding image until starting driving the developer carrying member to perform the development process for the subsequent image, the control portion maintains suspension of the driving of the developer carrying member during the development driving suspension period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2025
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru WADA, Hiroshi YAMAZAKI, Asami SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20250264825
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device, a container, a toner replenishment device, a toner conveyance detection portion, and a control portion. The toner replenishment device includes a plurality of toner replenishment paths through which toner in the container is conveyed and replenished to the developing device. The toner conveyance detection portion detects a toner conveyance error in toner conveyance performed by using the plurality of toner replenishment paths. In a case where the toner conveyance detection portion has detected a toner conveyance error in one of the toner replenishment paths that is in use, the control portion switches to another one of the toner replenishment paths to convey the toner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2025
    Publication date: August 21, 2025
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Asami SASAKI, Minoru WADA, Hiroshi YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20250231515
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing device, a container, a toner supplying device, and a control portion. The developing device supplies toner to an image carrying member. The container stores the toner supplied to the developing device. The toner supplying device transports the toner in the container to the developing device to supply the toner to it. The control portion senses toner emptiness in the container by using a plurality of emptiness sensing paths and uses different emptiness sensing conditions for the plurality of emptiness sensing paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru WADA, Junichi NAKAGAWA, Hiroshi YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20250199454
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, a charging device, an exposure device, a development device, and a development voltage power supply. The image carrying member has an amorphous silicon photosensitive layer formed on its surface. The development device includes a developer carrying member carrying two-component developer containing toner and carrier. The development voltage power supply applies to the developer carrying member a development voltage having an alternating-current voltage superposed on a direct-current voltage. When the blank part potential on the image carrying member is V0 [V], the direct-current voltage is Vdc [V], the peak-to-peak value of the alternating-current voltage Vac is Vpp [kV], and the gap between the image carrying member and the developer carrying member is Ds [mm], 10?V0?Vdc?90 and 1.2?Vpp/Ds?3.5 are fulfilled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2024
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru WADA, Hiroshi YAMAZAKI, Asami SASAKI
  • Patent number: 12282266
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charging device, an exposure device, a development device, and a development voltage power supply. The development device includes a development container storing a nonmagnetic one-component developer composed only of a toner, and a developer carrier on which a toner layer is formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The development voltage power supply applies a development voltage to the developer carrier. The image forming apparatus alternately forms white regions and exposed regions at a predetermined pitch repeatedly on a surface of the image carrier to form a solid image with an area ratio lower than 100%. Where V0 represents a white-region potential of the image carrier, VL represents an exposed-region potential of the image carrier, Vt represents a toner-layer potential, and Vd represents the development voltage, Vd?0.5*(V0?VL)+VL?Vt is fulfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Wada, Ryo Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 12265342
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a development voltage power supply, and a control section. The developing device includes a development container which contains a non-magnetic one-component developer and a developer carrying member which includes a rotary shaft and a roller portion stacked on the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft, and the resistance value of the roller portion is 9 to 11 [Log ?], and when the amount of toner conveyed on the developer carrying member is Md [g/m2], the amount of toner adhered on the image carrying member in a solid image is Mp [g/m2], the peripheral speed of the developer carrying member and the image carrying member are Sd [mm/sec] and Sp [mm/sec], 0.8×Sd/Sp<Mp/Md and 0.8?Sd/Sp?1.2 are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Wada, Takahiro Okubo, Takeru Nagamoto
  • Publication number: 20240310751
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charging device, an exposure device, a development device, and a development voltage power supply. The development device includes a development container storing a nonmagnetic one-component developer composed only of a toner, and a developer carrier on which a toner layer is formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The development voltage power supply applies a development voltage to the developer carrier. The image forming apparatus alternately forms white regions and exposed regions at a predetermined pitch repeatedly on a surface of the image carrier to form a solid image with an area ratio lower than 100%. Where V0 represents a white-region potential of the image carrier, VL represents an exposed-region potential of the image carrier, Vt represents a toner-layer potential, and Vd represents the development voltage, Vd?0.5*(V0?VL)+VL?Vt is fulfilled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru WADA, Ryo TANIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20240142891
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a development voltage power supply, and a control section. The developing device includes a development container which contains a non-magnetic one-component developer and a developer carrying member which includes a rotary shaft and a roller portion stacked on the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft, and the resistance value of the roller portion is 9 to 11 [Log ?], and when the amount of toner conveyed on the developer carrying member is Md [g/m2], the amount of toner adhered on the image carrying member in a solid image is Mp [g/m2], the peripheral speed of the developer carrying member and the image carrying member are Sd [mm/sec] and Sp [mm/sec], 0.8×Sd/Sp<Mp/Md and 0.8?Sd/Sp?1.2 are satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru WADA, Takahiro OKUBO, Takeru NAGAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220404734
    Abstract: An image forming device includes photoconductor drum that rotates around axis and has drum circumferential face on which electrostatic latent image is formed, and developing unit that supplies developer to photoconductor drum thereby to manifest electrostatic latent image into developer image. The developing unit includes developing housing, developing roller supported by developing housing to be rotatable around axis, has first circumferential face that faces drum circumferential face and carries developer, and supplies carried developer to drum circumferential face, and restricting blade that contacts first circumferential face, and restricts amount of developer to be carried on first circumferential face, and first circumferential face has value of 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Takahisa NAKAUE, Kotatsu KAWAGUCHI, Masahito ISHINO, Yukari OTA, Tomohiro TAMAKI, Minoru WADA
  • Publication number: 20220107581
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image-carrying member, a charging device, an exposure device, and a developing device. The charging device charges a surface of the image-carrying member. The exposure device writes an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image-carrying member by exposing the charged surface of the image-carrying member. The developing device includes a developing roller and a bias output circuit. The bias output circuit applies a developing bias to the developing roller. A potential VH of a non-exposure portion charged on the surface of the image-carrying member, a potential VL of an exposure portion on the surface of the image-carrying member, and the developing bias VDD meet a relationship of VH?VDD?2 (VDD?VL). In addition, a difference between the developing bias VDD and the potential VL of the exposure portion (VDD?VL) is 100 V or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Minoru Wada, Masahito Ishino, Takahisa Nakaue, Yukari Ota, Tomohiro Tamaki
  • Patent number: 11150578
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developing container, a first stirring member and a second stirring member, and a developing roller. The developing container includes a first stirring chamber, a second stirring chamber, and a communication portion. The first stirring member includes a reverse spiral vane that conveys a developer in a direction reverse to a circulation direction. An air discharge duct is formed on a wall portion of the first stirring chamber opposed to the reverse spiral vane and in an area excluding the communication portion and discharges air from the first stirring chamber to an outside of the developing container via an air discharge port at a distal end of the air discharge duct. A filtration portion is disposed in the air discharge duct adjacently to the air discharge port and restricts leakage of the developer through the air discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Wada, Yuji Kamiyama, Ikuo Makie, Yu Sasaki, Yukari Ota, Ryo Yamada
  • Patent number: 11039029
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus manages an image forming apparatus installed in a building having a plurality of areas. The information processing apparatus includes an installation area information storage device, containing installation area information indicating each of the areas where the image forming apparatus is installed, a communication device that makes communication with an external apparatus, and a control device including a processor, and configured to acts as a controller, when the processor executes an operation control program. The controller transmits, when an abnormality detection device, provided in each of the areas to detect an abnormality that has occurred in the area, detects the abnormality, a command notice to turn off power for the image forming apparatus installed in the area where the abnormality has occurred, from the communication device to the image forming apparatus, according to the installation area information stored in the installation area information storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Wada, Nobuhiro Maezawa
  • Patent number: 10979589
    Abstract: A control system includes: image forming apparatuses at least one of which is installed in each of a plurality of areas in a building; a management apparatus; and alarms that are each provided for each of the areas, respectively. The management apparatus manages security of the building including the plurality of areas, detects an abnormal high temperature occurrence area by identifying the area in which the image forming apparatus from which the abnormal high temperature is detected is installed when the abnormal high temperature is detected in the image forming apparatus, and transmits a report command notification for reporting that the abnormal high temperature has occurred in the area in which an alarm is provided to the alarm which is provided in the abnormal high temperature occurrence area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Minoru Wada
  • Publication number: 20210055674
    Abstract: A developing device includes a developing container, a first stirring member and a second stirring member, and a developing roller. The developing container includes a first stirring chamber, a second stirring chamber, and a communication portion. The first stirring member includes a reverse spiral vane that conveys a developer in a direction reverse to a circulation direction. An air discharge duct is formed on a wall portion of the first stirring chamber opposed to the reverse spiral vane and in an area excluding the communication portion and discharges air from the first stirring chamber to an outside of the developing container via an air discharge port at a distal end of the air discharge duct. A filtration portion is disposed in the air discharge duct adjacently to the air discharge port and restricts leakage of the developer through the air discharge port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru WADA, Yuji KAMIYAMA, Ikuo MAKIE, Yu SASAKI, Yukari OTA, Ryo YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20200236239
    Abstract: A control system includes: image forming apparatuses at least one of which is installed in each of a plurality of areas in a building; a management apparatus; and alarms that are each provided for each of the areas, respectively. The management apparatus manages security of the building including the plurality of areas, detects an abnormal high temperature occurrence area by identifying the area in which the image forming apparatus from which the abnormal high temperature is detected is installed when the abnormal high temperature is detected in the image forming apparatus, and transmits a report command notification for reporting that the abnormal high temperature has occurred in the area in which an alarm is provided to the alarm which is provided in the abnormal high temperature occurrence area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Minoru WADA
  • Publication number: 20200137251
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus manages an image forming apparatus installed in a building having a plurality of areas. The information processing apparatus includes an installation area information storage device, containing installation area information indicating each of the areas where the image forming apparatus is installed, a communication device that makes communication with an external apparatus, and a control device including a processor, and configured to acts as a controller, when the processor executes an operation control program. The controller transmits, when an abnormality detection device, provided in each of the areas to detect an abnormality that has occurred in the area, detects the abnormality, a command notice to turn off power for the image forming apparatus installed in the area where the abnormality has occurred, from the communication device to the image forming apparatus, according to the installation area information stored in the installation area information storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru WADA, Nobuhiro MAEZAWA
  • Publication number: 20200137252
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a storage device that stores installation area information indicating an area where an image forming apparatus is installed; a communication device; and a control device. The control device functions as a controller that, in accordance with the number of persons present per area obtainable based on detection information acquired by an entry and exit detecting device, determines, per area indicated by the installation area information, a state of the image forming apparatus installed in each area, and transmits a command notice for changing the state of the image forming apparatus into the determined state, via the communication device, to the image forming apparatus installed in each of the areas. The controller transmits the command notice for changing the state of the image forming apparatus into a predetermined state where power consumption is more reduced, as the number of persons present in the area decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Minoru WADA
  • Patent number: 9885972
    Abstract: An image forming includes an apparatus main body, a photoreceptor drum, a charging apparatus, a developing device, a transfer apparatus, a charging bias applying unit, a developing bias applying unit, a bias adjusting unit, and a print density measurement unit. The bias adjusting unit forms a non-charged area on a circumference surface of the photoreceptor drum and applies a developing bias constituted of a first electric potential to a developing roller to form a first toner image by an electric potential difference between the non-charged area and the developing roller. The charging bias applying unit forms a second toner image by an electric potential difference between the electric potential area and the developing roller. The charging bias applying unit decides a value of a charging bias corresponding to a target electric potential from measurement results of print densities of the first toner image and the second toner image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Wada, Masaru Hatano, Masaki Kadota, Masahito Ishino, Keisuke Isoda, Atsushi Ishizaki