Patents by Inventor Motokazu Hasegawa

Motokazu Hasegawa 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: 20230355967
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a power supply configured to apply an alternating current to a magnetic field generation apparatus; and a controller configured to control the alternating current applied by the power supply. The controller controls the power supply to apply the alternating current having a waveform pattern including a plurality of current waveforms having different frequency spectrums from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicants: Ricoh Company, Ltd., PUBLIC UNIVERSITY CORPORATION YOKOHAMA CITY UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kazuhito KISHI, Masami Takai, Motokazu Hasegawa, Masataka Akaishi, Masanari Umemura, Yoshihiro Ishikawa, Taisuke Akimoto
  • Patent number: 11730956
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a power supply configured to apply an alternating current to a magnetic field generation apparatus; and a controller configured to control the alternating current applied by the power supply. The controller controls the power supply to apply the alternating current having a waveform pattern including a plurality of current waveforms having different frequency spectrums from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., PUBLIC UNIVERSITY CORPORATION YOKOHAMA CITY UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kazuhito Kishi, Masami Takai, Motokazu Hasegawa, Masataka Akaishi, Masanari Umemura, Yoshihiro Ishikawa, Taisuke Akimoto
  • Publication number: 20190358448
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a power supply configured to apply an alternating current to a magnetic field generation apparatus; and a controller configured to control the alternating current applied by the power supply. The controller controls the power supply to apply the alternating current having a waveform pattern including a plurality of current waveforms having different frequency spectrums from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicants: Ricoh Company, Ltd., PUBLIC UNIVERSITY CORPORATION YOKOHAMA CITY UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kazuhito Kishi, Masami Takai, Motokazu Hasegawa, Masataka Akaishi, Masanari Umemura, Yoshihiro Ishikawa, Taisuke Akimoto
  • Patent number: 9964904
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, which includes heat-generating layer, and an induction heater to inductively heat the fixing member. The induction heater includes an excitation coil disposed facing an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to generate a magnetic flux, a ferromagnetic core assembly containing a ferromagnetic core to form a magnetic path to direct the magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil to the fixing member, and a holder to hold the excitation coil and the ferromagnetic core assembly. The ferromagnetic core is insert-molded in and covered by the holder. The holder has a plurality of spherical marks created by a plurality of stabilizing members each having a spherical tip to stabilize the ferromagnetic core in a mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuki Oka, Yukari Isoe, Motokazu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9519248
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotatable fixing member, a pressing member to contact the fixing member with pressure to form a nip between the pressing member and the fixing member, an induction heating unit serving as a heating source to heat the fixing member, and a conductive wire drawn out of the induction heating unit to be disposed outside the cover member through a hole provided substantially at a center of the cover member in a longitudinal direction of the induction heating unit. The induction heating unit includes an excitation coil, a coil holder to hold the excitation coil, and a cover member provided facing the coil holder with the coil holder interposed between the cover member and the fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Matsusaka, Shota Kobashigawa, Motokazu Hasegawa, Yukari Isoe
  • Patent number: 9482998
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotatable fixing member, a pressing member to contact the fixing member with pressure to form a nip between the pressing member and the fixing member, an induction heating unit serving as a heating source to heat the fixing member, and a conductive wire drawn out of the induction heating unit to be disposed outside the cover member through a hole provided substantially at a center of the cover member in a longitudinal direction of the induction heating unit. The induction heating unit includes an excitation coil, a coil holder to hold the excitation coil, and a cover member provided facing the coil holder with the coil holder interposed between the cover member and the fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Matsusaka, Shota Kobashigawa, Motokazu Hasegawa, Yukari Isoe
  • Patent number: 9342002
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary member comprising a heat generation layer; an excitation coil generating magnetic flux, disposed along an axial direction of the rotary member and opposite the rotary member, to heat by induction the heat generation layer; a first demagnetizing coil layered on the excitation coil and generating magnetic flux in a direction reverse to and cancel the magnetic flux that the excitation coil generates; a sheet size detector to obtain a size of a recording sheet on which an image is to be formed by passing through the rotary member; and a drive controller to control driving of the first demagnetizing coil. The drive controller drives the first demagnetizing coil after information including the sheet size information has been obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoko Morisawa, Susumu Matsusaka, Motokazu Hasegawa, Yukari Isoe
  • Patent number: 9280107
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotary fixing member; a pressure roller pressed against the fixing member to form a nip in association with the fixing member; and an induction heater, as a heat source, to heat the fixing member. The induction heater includes an excitation coil to induction-heat the fixing member; a side core disposed along an outer circumference in a longitudinal direction of the excitation coil; and a plurality of arch-shaped cores disposed to cover the excitation coil in the longitudinal direction thereof. The arch-shaped cores include center portions corresponding to an inner side of the excitation coil and bent to the fixing member; and outer end portions extending in the direction leading to the side core without interfering with the excitation coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Motokazu Hasegawa, Yukari Isoe, Susumu Matsusaka
  • Patent number: 9207597
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotator having a heat generation layer, an excitation coil to inductively heat the heat generation layer, ferromagnetic cores to direct magnetic flux arising from the excitation coil to the rotator, and a holder to hold the excitation coil and the ferromagnetic cores. In the fixing device, the ferromagnetic cores include multiple cores disposed astride the excitation coil at a turning part on each end of the excitation coil in a longitudinal direction of the excitation coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Matsusaka, Motokazu Hasegawa, Yukari Isoe
  • Patent number: 9164447
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a pressurization member pressed against a fixing rotator and a magnetic flux generator disposed opposite the fixing rotator. A heat generator is disposed opposite the magnetic flux generator to generate heat by a magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generator. A magnetic shield is movably disposed inside the heat generator to screen the magnetic flux penetrating through the heat generator. A pressure adjuster presses the pressurization member against the fixing rotator with variable pressure. An interlock interlocks the pressurization member with the magnetic shield. The pressure adjuster presses the pressurization member against the fixing rotator with increased pressure to move the magnetic shield via the interlock to a proximate position in proximity to the heat generator and with decreased pressure to move the magnetic shield via the interlock to a remote position being remote from the heat generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shota Kobashigawa, Susumu Matsusaka, Motokazu Hasegawa, Tsuyoshi Hashiyada
  • Patent number: 9128449
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating body; first and second coils for induction heating that heat the heating body by an induction heating method; a first switching element connected to the first coil for induction heating; a second switching element connected to the second coil for induction heating; a driving signal transmission unit that sends a first drive signal to the first switching element and a second drive signal to the second switching element so that the first switching element and the second switching element operate at the same timing to apply a first input voltage to the first coil for induction heating and a second input voltage to the second coil for induction heating; and a voltage drop unit that steps down the first input voltage applied to the first coil for induction heating so that the first input voltage is lower than the second input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masataka Akaishi, Tsuyoshi Ueno, Motokazu Hasegawa, Yuuki Oka
  • Patent number: 9098029
    Abstract: A fixing device which heats a heating object through induction heating by using a plurality of coils includes a plurality of coil drivers that drive the plurality of coils respectively, a drive circuit that controls ON/OFF states of a plurality of switching elements simultaneously to control the drive of the plurality of coil drivers, a control unit that controls a voltage supplied to each of the plurality of coils in accordance with the control of the ON/OFF states of the plurality of switching elements by the drive circuit, and a plurality of voltage control circuits that individually change the voltages supplied to the plurality of coils in accordance with the voltage control of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ueno, Motokazu Hasegawa, Masataka Akaishi
  • Patent number: 9063487
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotatable fixing member, a pressing member, and an induction heater. The induction heater includes an excitation coil, ferromagnetic cores, and a holder. The ferromagnetic cores include multiple arch cores and multiple side cores. The multiple arch cores are disposed facing an outer surface of a heat generation layer with the excitation coil interposed therebetween. The multiple side cores are disposed outside the excitation coil in a longitudinal direction of the induction heater so as to face both ends of each of the multiple arch cores. The multiple side cores are integrally inserted in the holder. The holder includes a spacer. The spacer contains a resin material used in the holder and provided in a close-facing portion located between at least one of the multiple arch cores and at least one of the multiple side cores to form a gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukari Isoe, Motokazu Hasegawa, Masanobu Yamagata
  • Publication number: 20150132019
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a pressurization member pressed against a fixing rotator and a magnetic flux generator disposed opposite the fixing rotator. A heat generator is disposed opposite the magnetic flux generator to generate heat by a magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generator. A magnetic shield is movably disposed inside the heat generator to screen the magnetic flux penetrating through the heat generator. A pressure adjuster presses the pressurization member against the fixing rotator with variable pressure. An interlock interlocks the pressurization member with the magnetic shield. The pressure adjuster presses the pressurization member against the fixing rotator with increased pressure to move the magnetic shield via the interlock to a proximate position in proximity to the heat generator and with decreased pressure to move the magnetic shield via the interlock to a remote position being remote from the heat generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shota KOBASHIGAWA, Susumu MATSUSAKA, Motokazu HASEGAWA, Tsuyoshi HASHIYADA
  • Patent number: 9002251
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member including a heat generator and an induction heater to heat the fixing member by electromagnetic induction. The induction heater includes an excitation coil, a ferromagnetic core to form a magnetic path to direct magnetic flux arising from the excitation coil to the fixing member, and a holder to hold the excitation coil and the ferromagnetic core. The holder has a surface facing the heat generator. The surface has a plurality of slits extending parallel to a direction of rotation of the fixing member. The ferromagnetic core is coupled to the holder and covers an open bottom portion of each slit of the plurality of slits to form a plurality of bottomed grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Motokazu Hasegawa, Susumu Matsusaka, Yukari Isoe
  • Patent number: 8983348
    Abstract: A fixing device that includes a rotary fixing member; a pressure roller configured to press against the fixing member to form a nip with the fixing member; and an induction heating unit as a heat source to heat the fixing member. The induction heating unit includes an excitation coil; a coil retainer to hold the excitation coil; and a cover member disposed opposite the coil retainer in an opposite side of the rotary fixing member, in which the cover member protrudes toward a central predetermined range of the excitation coil in an axial direction of the rotary fixing member to effectively cool the fixing device. The induction heating unit further includes a rectifying member to effectively cool the fixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shota Kobashigawa, Susumu Matsusaka, Miwa Shuto, Masanobu Yamagata, Motokazu Hasegawa, Yukari Isoe
  • Patent number: 8977177
    Abstract: A fixing device comprises a fixing member having a heat generation layer, an excitation coil disposed opposite an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to cause the fixing member to induce electromagnetic heat, and a magnetic core to form a continuous magnetic path guiding a magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil to the fixing member. A holder is provided to accommodate and hold the excitation coil and the magnetic core. A first core included in the magnetic core and is arranged opposite the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member not via the excitation coil along a line extended from an axis of the fixing member in a radius direction. An end face of the first core arranged opposite the outer circumferential surface of the fixing member is substantially perpendicular to the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Matsusaka, Motokazu Hasegawa, Yukari Isoe, Tsuyoshi Hashiyada
  • Publication number: 20150010319
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating body; first and second coils for induction heating that heat the heating body by an induction heating method; a first switching element connected to the first coil for induction heating; a second switching element connected to the second coil for induction heating; a driving signal transmission unit that sends a first drive signal to the first switching element and a second drive signal to the second switching element so that the first switching element and the second switching element operate at the same timing to apply a first input voltage to the first coil for induction heating and a second input voltage to the second coil for induction heating; and a voltage drop unit that steps down the first input voltage applied to the first coil for induction heating so that the first input voltage is lower than the second input voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Masataka AKAISHI, Tsuyoshi UENO, Motokazu HASEGAWA, Yuuki OKA
  • Publication number: 20140305925
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing member, which includes heat-generating layer, and an induction heater to inductively heat the fixing member. The induction heater includes an excitation coil disposed facing an outer circumferential surface of the fixing member to generate a magnetic flux, a ferromagnetic core assembly containing a ferromagnetic core to form a magnetic path to direct the magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil to the fixing member, and a holder to hold the excitation coil and the ferromagnetic core assembly. The ferromagnetic core is insert-molded in and covered by the holder. The holder has a plurality of spherical marks created by a plurality of stabilizing members each having a spherical tip to stabilize the ferromagnetic core in a mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuki OKA, Yukari ISOE, Motokazu HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: 8849169
    Abstract: An induction heating-type fixing device includes a fixing member, an excitation coil, a magnetic core, a holder, and a pressing member. The fixing member includes a heat generating layer to heat and fuse a toner image on a recording medium. The excitation coil wound a predetermined number of times is disposed facing an outer surface of the fixing member, to generate a magnetic flux relative to the fixing member. The magnetic core forms a continuous magnetic path to direct the magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil to the fixing member. The holder holds the excitation coil and the magnetic core. The pressing member is disposed opposite the fixing member to press against the fixing member and form a fixing nip between the fixing member and the pressing member through which the recording medium is conveyed. The magnetic core is exposed from the holder at the fixing member side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Hashiyada, Motokazu Hasegawa, Susumu Matsusaka, Yukari Isoe