Patents by Inventor Satoshi Kinouchi

Satoshi Kinouchi 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).

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS AND HEAT ROLLER ADJUSTMENT SUPPORT METHOD
    Publication number: 20080118260
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus is provided for supporting adjustment of the distance between a heat roller and a heating unit for heating the heat roller, thereby supporting adjustment of supplied power to the heating unit. The image formation apparatus includes a heat roller for clamping paper with a toner image formed thereon with a pressurization roller; a heating unit being placed facing the heat roller for heating the heat roller; a power supply unit for supplying power to the heating unit; an acquisition unit for acquiring a power value based on the power supplied from the power supply unit; a comparison unit for making a comparison between the power value acquired by the acquisition unit and a predetermined power value; and a display unit for displaying information concerning adjustment of a distance from the heat roller to the heating unit based on the comparison result of the comparison unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yohei Doi, Hiroshi Nakayama, Tetsuo Kitamura, Masanori Takai, Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Toyoyasu Kusaka, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Osamu Takagi, Toshihiro Sone
  • FIXING APPARATUS FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20080118265
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention controls, using a CPU and a temperature comparator, an inverter circuit that supplies electric power to an induction heating coil and performs temperature control for a heat roller. The CPU adjusts and controls a power value supplied by the inverter circuit. When the adjustment and control of the power value by the CPU is late, the inverter circuit is ON-OFF controlled by the temperature comparator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Kinouchi, Osamu Takagi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Tetsuo Kitamura, Hiroshi Nakayama, Yohei Doi, Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Masanori Takai, Toyoyasu Kusaka, Toshihiro Sone
  • FIXING DEVICE FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20080118266
    Abstract: A fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention heats a metal conductive layer of a heat roller using an induction current generating coil. In order to supplement a heat capacity of the heat roller, a press roller having a large heat capacity is heated by a halogen lamp. During a start of activation of an image forming apparatus, when a printer control circuit is started, the supply of electric power to the halogen lamp is started before warming-up is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakayama, Yohei Doi, Tetsuo Kitamura, Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Masanori Takai, Toyoyasu Kusaka, Toshihiro Sone
  • FIXING APPARATUS OF IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20080118282
    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. At the room temperature, the outer diameter of the elastic roller is smaller than the inner diameter of the metal belt. On the other hand, when the elastic roller is thermally expanded, the metal belt and the elastic roller fit onto each other in a state in which the metal belt fastens the elastic roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Tetsuo Kitamura, Hiroshi Nakayama, Yohei Doi, Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Masanori Takai, Toyoyasu Kusaka, Toshihiro Sone
  • ROLLER APPARATUS AND FIXING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20080118284
    Abstract: There is provided a technique in which in a roller apparatus including a roller constructed by inserting a core member in a cylindrical elastic body, the occurrence of disadvantages due to the reduction in bonding strength between the elastic body and the core member is suppressed by a simple structure. In the roller apparatus including a core member that rotates around a rotation axis, and a cylindrical elastic body in which the core member is inserted, at least a boundary portion between the elastic body at an end position in a direction of the rotation axis P and the core member is coated with a coating part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Osamu Takagi, Toshihiro Sone
  • FIXING APPARATUS FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20080118283
    Abstract: In a heat roller of a fixing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a sleeve is slidable with respect to a supporting roller. Flanges that regulate the sleeve have smooth surfaces, are arranged at gaps apart from a foamed rubber layer of the supporting roller, and freely rotate with respect to the supporting roller. Edges at both ends of the foamed rubber layer of the supporting roller are formed in an R shape and set shorter than the length of a body of the press roller. The sleeve has markings for detecting a state of the heat roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsueda, Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Tetsuo Kitamura, Hiroshi Nakayama, Yohei Doi, Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Masanori Takai, Toyoyasu Kusaka, Toshihiro Sone
  • FIXING APPARATUS OF IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20080118262
    Abstract: In a fixing apparatus of an embodiment of the invention, a heat roller forwardly and reversely rotated by a drive motor capable of forwardly and reversely rotating is heated by an induction heating coil also when it is reversely rotated. Further, the roller control temperature of the heat roller by a control system is adjusted according to a time of forward rotation of the heat roller and a time of reverse rotation, or a time when the heat roller and a press roller are separated from each other and a time when they are in contact with each other. Besides, after a specified time has passed since an instruction of reverse rotation or forward rotation by a drive signal, output of the induction heating coil is tuned on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Kinouchi, Osamu Takagi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Tetsuo Kitamura, Hiroshi Nakayama, Yohei Doi, Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Masanori Takai, Toyoyasu Kusaka, Toshihiro Sone
  • FIXING DEVICE FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20080118263
    Abstract: A fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a microcomputer that exclusively performs temperature control for the fixing device. The microcomputer periodically calculates electric power that can be supplied to the fixing device. The microcomputer detects the temperature of the fixing device and the temperature in a printer unit and feedback-controls electric power supplied to the fixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakayama, Yohei Doi, Tetsuo Kitamura, Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Kazuhiko Kikuchi, Masanori Takai, Toyoyasu Kusaka, Toshihiro Sone
  • FIXING DEVICE OF IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20080107438
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, in arrival timing of a temperature falling area of a heat roller passing a nip at opposite position ? of an induction heating coil from temperature detection position ? by an infrared temperature sensor around the heat roller, according to detection results by the infrared temperature sensor, controls an output value of the induction heating coil under control of an inverter circuit, heats and returns the heat roller in real time to a fixable temperature, and realizes energy conversation. At the time of arrival at the nip, the heat controller is always set to a fixed fixable temperature, thus in a fixed image, a high image quality free of ripple marks can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Satoshi Kinouchi, Osamu Takagi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Toshihiro Sone
  • Image forming apparatus and fixing apparatus
    Patent number: 7369801
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsueda, Satoshi Kinouchi, Osamu Takagi, Toshihiro Sone
  • Fuser and heatfusing control method
    Patent number: 7358461
    Abstract: According to a mode of the present invention, there is disclosed a fixing apparatus comprising a non-contact temperature detection section which detects a temperature by infrared rays radiated from a heating member, to made uniform a surface temperature of the heating member in an axial direction and a rotation direction based on first temperature information for detecting a temperature difference of the axial direction of the heating member and second temperature information for detecting the temperature difference of the rotation direction of the heating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sone, Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda
  • Apparatus for fixing toner on transferred material
    Patent number: 7346288
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fixing apparatus which radiates rays to a detection object and which detects the rays returned from the detection object to obtain a temperature signal. The apparatus specifies a radiant ratio of the surface of the detection object using at least one of accumulated image forming times, detection position, and radiation deterioration, corrects the detected temperature signal based on the specified radiant ratio of the surface of the detection object to produce temperature data, and controls a power to be supplied to a heating mechanism which raises temperature of the detection object based on the produced temperature data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sone, Osamu Takagi, Satoshi Kinouchi, Yoshinori Tsueda
  • Heat roller and fixing apparatus
    Patent number: 7340210
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus is provided with a heat roller 2 which includes an elastic member 2b having an outer diameter which is different from another one in an axial direction, and a 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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsueda, Satoshi Kinouchi, Osamu Takagi, Toshihiro Sone
  • Fixing device of image forming apparatus
    Patent number: 7340192
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, in arrival timing of a temperature falling area of a heat roller passing a nip at opposite position ? of an induction heating coil from temperature detection position ? by an infrared temperature sensor around the heat roller, according to detection results by the infrared temperature sensor, controls an output value of the induction heating coil under control of an inverter circuit, heats and returns the heat roller in real time to a fixable temperature, and realizes energy conversation. At the time of arrival at the nip, the heat controller is always set to a fixed fixable temperature, thus in a fixed image, a high image quality free of ripple marks can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Kinouchi, Osamu Takagi, Yoshinori Tsueda, Toshihiro Sone
  • Method for detecting damage of a heating roller of a fixing apparatus based on its peripheral speed
    Patent number: 7330689
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a fixing device configured to, by allowing a sheet having a developing agent image on it to pass between a heating roller and a pressing roller set in contact with the heating roller, fix the developing agent image in which at least one of the heating roller and pressing roller is configured to have an inner elastic layer and a conductive layer formed on a surface side of the elastic layer and the elastic layer is bonded to the conductive layer by a heat-resistant adhesive having a heat-resistant temperature of over 200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsueda, Satoshi Kinouchi, Osamu Takagi, Toshihiro Sone