Patents by Inventor Osamu Takagi

Osamu Takagi 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).

  • FIXING DEVICE FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
    Publication number: 20080260404
    Abstract: A fixing device of this invention enables variable control of power to be supplied to a heat roller side or a press roller side in accordance with the temperature of the heat roller and the press roller while each mode is carried out. In a copy mode, the temperature of the heat roller and the press roller is finely controlled. In a copy standby mode, only the power required for maintaining a set temperature is supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Toshihiro Sone
  • HEAT FIXING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20080260437
    Abstract: In an induction heat fixing device of the invention, a metal conductive layer of a heat roller is supported by a foamed rubber (sponge). A sheet paper is curled in a direction of separating from the heat roller by a nip shape between the heat roller and a press roller. The press roller is formed to be longer than the heat roller to such a degree that even if the heat roller laterally shifts, an edge of the press roller does not come in contact with the heat roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Toshihiro Sone
  • Fixing device of image forming apparatus and image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 7440713
    Abstract: The fixing device of the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a cleaning pad arranged on the upper frame which supports a heat roller. An infrared temperature sensor is supported by a supporting mechanism that is capable of supporting the infrared temperature sensor at the temperature detecting position and the evacuating position. When the right and left frames are attached/removed to/from the main body of the apparatus at the time of maintenance, the infrared temperature sensor is moved to the evacuating position and pressed against the cleaning pad and then, the right and left frames are moved by sliding to the main body of the apparatus. The cleaning pad is also slid and moved jointly with the slide moving of the right and left frames, and the infrared temperature sensor contacts the cleaning pad and dirt on the infrared temperature sensor is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sone, Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda
  • IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FIXING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20080247790
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a heating roller 2 fixed at a predetermined position, a pressurizing roller 3 press-fitted to the heating roller 2 by a pressurizing mechanism 4 to be movable, and a hardness change detecting mechanism 310 which becomes electrically conductive when the pressurizing roller 3 moves due to thermal expansion of the heating roller 2, and which detects a hardness change of the heating roller 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshinori TSUEDA, Satoshi KINOUCHI, Osamu TAKAGI, Toshihiro SONE
  • INDUCTION HEATING DEVICE AND INDUCTION HEATING FIXING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20080237223
    Abstract: An induction heating coil of an induction heating device of the invention is formed such that a first coil width of an active coil section parallel to a longitudinal direction of a heat roller and a second coil width of an end coil section in a direction parallel to a rotating direction of the heat roller are different. When the induction heating coil is divided into plural coils, portions having weak magnetic fields in joint portions of the induction heating coils, at both ends of the induction heating coils, or the like are narrowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Kinouchi, Osamu Takagi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Toshihiro Sone
  • INDUCTION HEATING FIXING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20080240805
    Abstract: In an induction heating fixing device according to the invention, a first induction heating coil that generates an induced current across the total length of a heat roller is provided on the outer circumference of the heat roller having a metal conductive layer. A second induction heating coil that generates an induced current at a central part of the heat roller is provided, which crosses the first induction heating coil and is arranged on the outer side than the first induction heating coil. With the first induction heating coil, the heat roller is heated across the total length without generating any uneven temperature. On-off control of the first induction heating coil and the second induction heating coil is carried out, and the temperature distribution in the longitudinal direction of the heat roller is kept constant irrespective of the size of a sheet paper P.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Kinouchi, Osamu Takagi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Toshihiro Sone
  • FIXING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20080240748
    Abstract: A fixing device of the invention detects a temperature of plural positions of a heat roller by a multiple non-contact temperature sensor at the same time and controls the temperature of plural heat source members The non-contact temperature sensor and a contact temperature sensor detect the temperature of the same position. According to the detection result, maintenance is performed or a temperature conversion table is corrected, the non-contact temperature sensor is maintained with high precision, and the heat roller is controlled the temperature with high precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Kinouchi, Osamu Takagi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Toshihiro Sone
  • Belt conveying mechanism for ink-jet recording apparatus and ink-jet recording apparatus including it
    Patent number: 7427131
    Abstract: An ink-jet printer is provided with a belt conveying mechanism which includes two rollers and a conveyor belt that is wrapped around the two rollers for carrying paper. The surface of the conveyor belt is formed with a recessed portion into which ink is ejected during flushing. The recessed portion has a non-water-repellent region upstream in a traveling direction of the conveyor belt. The non-repellent region functions as an ink retaining portion retaining. On a rear surface of the conveyor belt is disposed an ink absorber for absorbing ink retained in the non-water-repellent region from the rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsugio Okamoto, Masakazu Kuki, Osamu Takagi
  • Coil unit and fixing apparatus
    Patent number: 7425691
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a mold (holding member) formed by injection molding to hold a coil so that the coil maintains a predetermined positional relation with respect to a heating roller, and capable of holding a temperature sensor which detects a temperature of the heating roller and a thermostat which detects an abnormal temperature of the heating roller in predetermined positions facing the heating roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Kinouchi, Osamu Takagi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Toshihiro Sone
  • FIXING DEVICE AND FIXING METHOD OF IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20080219722
    Abstract: In a fixing device of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, inner surfaces of upper and lower frames for respectively supporting a heat roller and a pressure roller are formed as a mirror surface. Between the heat roller and an infrared temperature sensor, an infrared transmission filter for cutting infrared rays beyond a wave length zone equivalent to a heatable area of the heat roller is installed. Detection results of a surface temperature of the heat roller by the infrared temperature sensor are prevented from exceeding the error tolerance due to infrared rays radiated from other than the heat roller. Temperature control for the heat roller is improved and a fixed image of high image quality is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sone, Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda
  • HEATING APPARATUS AND INDUCTION HEATING CONTROL METHOD
    Publication number: 20080203088
    Abstract: In an aspect of this invention, a fixing device includes a heating member including a first area and a second area formed of conductive members (e.g., aluminum and iron) having different magnetic permeability ratios, and an induction heating unit which generates a magnetic field from a coil to induction-heat this heating member, and the fixing device changes a frequency of a high-frequency current to be supplied to the coil to thereby control a heating area of the heating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Satoshi KINOUCHI, Osamu Takagi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Toshihiro Sone
  • FIXING DEVICE FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20080187373
    Abstract: In a fixing device for an image forming apparatus of the invention, circumferences of both side parts of an elastic layer are made larger than a circumference of a central part, and the expansion of a foamed rubber layer is absorbed by space between the elastic layer and a metal conductive layer. Thereby, the hardness of a heat roller at the time of fixing is made nearly uniform across the entire length in the shaft direction. The contact area of a core member and the elastic layer in the both side parts of the heat roller is made larger, and the stress per unit area generated in the elastic layer due to contact with the pressure roller is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsueda, Satoshi Kinouchi, Osamu Takagi, Toshihiro Sone
  • Inkjet printer and method of controlling the inkjet printer
    Patent number: 7393090
    Abstract: A pump including a rotor is connected between a print head and an ink cartridge. A housing of the pump is provided with a suction inlet and a discharge outlet. A partition member is disposed in the rotor placed in a hollow defined in the housing. The rotor of the pump is rotated to purge ink from nozzles of the print head. Thereafter, ink is wiped off the nozzle surface of the print head by a maintenance unit. While the ink is being wiped by a maintenance unit, the rotor is rotated at a rotating speed in which ink is not ejected from the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Takagi
  • Inkjet printer with cutting mechanism control
    Patent number: 7393096
    Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a conveyance belt including a groove, a conveyance mechanism, a cutting mechanism, a control unit, and a judgment unit. After the cutting mechanism cuts the printing medium, the judgment unit judges whether or not a cut position of the printing medium will be located in a predetermined region of the conveyance belt if the conveyance mechanism drives the conveyance belt to convey the printing medium in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction. The predetermined region of the conveyance belt includes the groove. When the judgment unit judges that the cut position of the printing medium will be located in the predetermined region, the control unit controls the conveyance mechanism to convey the printing mechanism on the conveyance belt in the conveyance direction and subsequently controls the cutting mechanism to cut the printing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Takagi
  • Heating apparatus, heating apparatus control method and noncontact thermal sensing device
    Patent number: 7389080
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a non-contact temperature detecting element 81 allocated in non-contact with a heat roller, the sensing element detecting a temperature of the heat roller. The non-contact temperature sensing section 81 includes a thermopile P which detects a target temperature Pt of a heat roller 2, a temperature element CPU 100 which estimates an ambient temperature at the periphery of the thermopile P and computes an estimated ambient temperature SQt, and a thermister Q which detects an ambient temperature Qt at the periphery of the thermopile and outputs the ambient temperature Qt at an output voltage of a predetermined rate with respect to a total output voltage value corresponding to the estimated ambient temperature SQt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sone, Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda
  • Ink-jet recording apparatus and method for driving the same
    Patent number: 7384118
    Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus has a pick-up roller for supplying to a conveyor mechanism an uppermost one of record media on a supporter, an elevator for moving up and down the supporter, a pump for forcibly ejecting ink within an ink-jet head, a drive shaft that is rotated both in positive and negative directions by a drive source, and a driving force transmitter. The driving force transmitter is capable of switching its mode between a mode for transmitting rotating force of the drive shaft in the positive direction to the pump so as to drive the pump and a mode for transmitting rotating force of the drive shaft in the negative direction to the pick-up roller so as to drive the pick-up roller. After the elevator is controlled to bring the uppermost one of the record media on the supporter away from the pick-up roller, the drive source is controlled to rotate the drive shaft in the positive direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukiko Tobita, legal representative, Osamu Takagi, Manabu Tobita
  • Heating apparatus and induction heating control method
    Patent number: 7386243
    Abstract: In an aspect of this invention, a fixing device includes a heating member including a first area and a second area formed of conductive members (e.g., aluminum and iron) having different magnetic permeability ratios, and an induction heating unit which generates a magnetic field from a coil to induction-heat this heating member, and the fixing device changes a frequency of a high-frequency current to be supplied to the coil to thereby control a heating area of the heating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Kinouchi, Osamu Takagi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Toshihiro Sone
  • DRIVE DETECTION DEVICE FOR FIXING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20080131159
    Abstract: In a drive detection device for a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a non-paper passing area of a heat roller is formed by a surface where a metal conductive layer is exposed and a surface where a silicon rubber layer is exposed. The drive detection device has an infrared temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the non-paper passing area. When a detection result of the infrared temperature sensor is fluctuated a fixed amount or more in a predetermined time, the drive detection device determines that the heat roller is rotating. Otherwise, the drive detection device determines that the heat roller is not rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sone, Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Tetsuo Kitamura, Hiroshi Nakayama, Yohei Doi, Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Masanori Takai, Toyoyasu Kusaka
  • FIXING APPARATUS OF IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20080124109
    Abstract: A heat roller of a fixing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention has a slidable metal belt on an outer side of an elastic roller. The width of the metal belt is made larger than that of the elastic roller. Flanges, each of which regulates a sliding movement of the metal belt by being in contact with an edge of the metal belt, are provided on both sides of a press roller opposite the metal belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sone, Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Tetsuo Kitamura, Hiroshi Nakayama, Yohei Doi, Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Masanori Takai, Toyoyasu Kusaka
  • HEAT ROLLER, FIXING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20080124149
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a heat roller 2 which comprises an elastic member 2b having an outer diameter which is different from another one in an axial direction, and an conductive layer 2c provided outside of the elastic member 2b, wherein a maximum outer diameter and a minimum outer diameter of the elastic member 2b has a difference therebetween ranging from 0.2 mm to 3.0 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshinori TSUEDA, Satoshi KINOUCHI, Osamu TAKAGI, Toshihiro SONE