Patents by Inventor Shoichiro Ikegami

Shoichiro Ikegami 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: 20190033762
    Abstract: Provided is a pressure roller for an image heating device that forms a nip part together with a heating member, the pressure roller including at least a mandrel, a first elastic layer, and a second elastic layer provided between the mandrel and the first elastic layer, wherein the first elastic layer has open-cell voids, is made of rubber, and has a thickness of at least 50 ?m and less than 500 ?m, and the second elastic layer is made of solid rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Shoichiro Ikegami, Naofumi Murata, Yutaka Arai, Jun Miura
  • Publication number: 20180373183
    Abstract: A roller usable in an image fixing device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a first elastic layer; a second elastic layer provided closer to a center of the roller than the first elastic layer, the second elastic layer having a thermal conductivity in a thickness direction higher than that of the first elastic layer; a third elastic layer provided between the first elastic layer and the second elastic layer, wherein an indentation elastic modulus EIT1 of the first elastic layer, an indentation elastic modulus EIT2 of the second elastic layer, and an indentation elastic modulus of the third elastic layer satisfy EIT1<EIT3<IIT2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Naofumi Murata, Shoichiro Ikegami, Yutaka Arai, Jun Miura
  • Patent number: 10120308
    Abstract: An image heating device includes a rotator, a heater including a heat generating resistor, a connector electrically connected to the heater, and a power interrupting unit that detects an abnormal temperature rise of the heater and interrupt supply of the power to the heater. The power interrupting unit includes a first terminal and a second terminal, a first conductive sheet metal that electrically connects the connector to the first terminal, a second conductive sheet metal that to electrically connects the connector to the second terminal via the heat generating resistor, a length of the second conductive sheet metal being different from a length of the first conductive sheet metal in the longitudinal direction of the heater, and a supporting member supporting the heater and including a regulation portion that regulates rotation of the power interrupting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaaki Akamatsu, Masashi Tanaka, Kensuke Umeda, Shoichiro Ikegami, Sho Taguchi, Ai Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20180284664
    Abstract: In a fixing apparatus, a width of a first portion of a first heat generating resistor is narrower than a width of a second portion, at least a portion of an outline of the first portion on the near side with respect to a power shut-off member is provided at a position closer to the power shut-off member than an outline of the second portion on the near side with respect to the power shut-off member, and at least a portion of an outline of the first portion on the far side with respect to the power shut-off member is provided at a position closer to the power shut-off member than an outline of the second portion on the far side with respect to the power shut-off member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Toru Imaizumi, Hikaru Osada, Nozomu Nakajima, Shoichiro Ikegami
  • Publication number: 20180024481
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating rotating member having a conductive layer and an exposed portion in which the conductive layer is partially exposed, and a roller including a metal core and an elastic portion, the roller forming a nip portion with the heating rotating member, the elastic portion being elastically deformed in a region where the nip portion is formed, wherein an annular conductive member provided in a longitudinal end portion of the metal core is in contact with the exposed portion of the heating rotating member while elastically deformed, and wherein in a state where the roller is not mounted to the fixing device, an outer diameter of the conductive member is smaller than an outer diameter of the elastic portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Kensuke Umeda, Masashi Tanaka, Shoichiro Ikegami, Sho Taguchi, Ai Suzuki, Hikaru Osada, Toru Imaizumi
  • Publication number: 20180024478
    Abstract: An image heating device includes a rotator, a heater including a heat generating resistor, a connector electrically connected to the heater, and a power interrupting unit that detects an abnormal temperature rise of the heater and interrupt supply of the power to the heater. The power interrupting unit includes a first terminal and a second terminal, a first conductive sheet metal that electrically connects the connector to the first terminal, a second conductive sheet metal that to electrically connects the connector to the second terminal via the heat generating resistor, a length of the second conductive sheet metal being different from a length of the first conductive sheet metal in the longitudinal direction of the heater, and a supporting member supporting the heater and including a regulation portion that regulates rotation of the power interrupting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Takaaki Akamatsu, Masashi Tanaka, Kensuke Umeda, Shoichiro Ikegami, Sho Taguchi, Ai Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9817348
    Abstract: The roller for use in a fixing device, includes a metal core, a first elastic layer formed on an outer side of the metal core, the first elastic layer having voids, and a second elastic layer formed on an outer side of the first elastic layer, the second elastic layer having a microhardness higher than a microhardness of the first elastic layer, in which an outer diameter of an end portion of the roller is larger than an outer diameter of a middle portion of the roller in a longitudinal direction of the roller, and in which the microhardness of the second elastic layer is 25 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naofumi Murata, Tomoo Akizuki, Shoichiro Ikegami
  • Publication number: 20170308025
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member; an exposure portion configured to expose the photosensitive member to light depending on image information to form a latent image on the photosensitive member; a developing portion configured to develop the latent image into a toner image with toner; and a transfer portion configured to transfer the toner image from the photosensitive member onto a recording material. The image forming apparatus changes a surface movement speed of the photosensitive member at timing prior to predetermined timing, when a moving speed of a recording material at the transfer portion changes, by a predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Ai Suzuki, Masashi Tanaka, Shoichiro Ikegami, Kensuke Umeda, Sho Taguchi
  • Patent number: 9766579
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus which fixes a toner image on a recording material, includes a tubular film; a heater disposed in contact with the film, the heater including a substrate and a heat generating resistor formed on the substrate; a contact member disposed in contact with a surface of the heater opposite to a surface of the heater in contact with the film, a coefficient of linear expansion of the contact member being larger than that of the substrate; and a support member configured to support the heater, the support member sandwiching the contact member with the heater, wherein a lubricant is applied in at least a longitudinal end portion of a contact region between the heater and the contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichiro Ikegami, Masahito Omata
  • Publication number: 20170102651
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a cylindrical belt; a heater including an elongated substrate and a heat generating resistor provided on the substrate; a heat-conductive member contacting a surface of the heater opposite from a belt contacting surface of the heater, and having thermal conductivity higher than that of the substrate; a supporting member; and a pressing member. The nip includes a region where a width of the nip with respect to a feeding direction of the recording material gradually increases from a longitudinal central portion toward a longitudinal end portion. The heat-conductive member includes a preventing portion for preventing movement thereof relative to the supporting member in a longitudinal direction of the heater. The preventing portion is provided in a region of the heat-conductive member corresponding to a position of the nip closer to the longitudinal end portion than to the longitudinal central portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Masashi Tanaka, Shoichiro Ikegami, Kensuke Umeda, Sho Taguchi, Ai Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20160370739
    Abstract: The roller for use in a fixing device, includes a metal core, a first elastic layer formed on an outer side of the metal core, the first elastic layer having voids, and a second elastic layer formed on an outer side of the first elastic layer, the second elastic layer having a microhardness higher than a microhardness of the first elastic layer, in which an outer diameter of an end portion of the roller is larger than an outer diameter of a middle portion of the roller in a longitudinal direction of the roller, and in which the microhardness of the second elastic layer is 25 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Naofumi Murata, Tomoo Akizuki, Shoichiro Ikegami
  • Publication number: 20160216659
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus which fixes a toner image on a recording material, includes a tubular film; a heater disposed in contact with the film, the heater including a substrate and a heat generating resistor formed on the substrate; a contact member disposed in contact with a surface of the heater opposite to a surface of the heater in contact with the film, a coefficient of linear expansion of the contact member being larger than that of the substrate; and a support member configured to support the heater, the support member sandwiching the contact member with the heater, wherein a lubricant is applied in at least a longitudinal end portion of a contact region between the heater and the contact member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Shoichiro Ikegami, Masahito Omata
  • Patent number: 9274474
    Abstract: The fixing device includes a rotary member for contacting the unfixed toner image, a pressure member for forming the nip portion by contacting the rotary member, and a cover for covering the rotary member with a space between the rotary member and the cover. In a cross section of the fixing device, the cross section being orthogonal to a generatrix direction of the rotary member, the shortest distance (H) between the nip portion and a farthest surface portion of the rotary member farthest away from a surface portion forming the nip portion of the rotary member, the maximum width (W) of the rotary member in the conveyance direction of the recording member, and an area (S) of the space in a range of the maximum width W in the cross section satisfy with a relationship of S/W?0.7×H.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahito Omata, Shoichiro Ikegami, Masahiko Suzumi, Terutaka Endo, Takeshi Niimura, Takehiko Suzuki, Toshihiko Ochiai
  • Patent number: 9250582
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus configured to heat a recording material having a toner image formed thereon and fix the toner image fixing on the recording material comprising: a film; a heater configured to contact the film, the heater including a substrate and a heat generation resistor formed on the substrate; a thermal conduction member configured to contact a surface of the heater opposite to a surface of the heater that contacts the film, the thermal conduction member having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the substrate; and a pressurizing roller configured to form a pressing portion with the heater via the film, wherein the thermal conduction member contacts the heater so as not to overlap with an end region of the heat generation resistor in a longitudinal direction of the heat generation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Suzumi, Masahito Omata, Shoichiro Ikegami, Sho Taguchi, Takeharu Nakada
  • Patent number: 9217972
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular film; a heater including a substrate and a heat generating resistor, the heater having a first region on which the heat generating resistor is formed and a second region, located outside of the first region in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, on which the heat generating resistor is not formed; and a heat conductive member configured to contact a surface of the heater opposite to a surface of the heater that contacts the film, the heat conductive member having a higher heat conductivity than the substrate. The heat conductive member contacts the heater in a region extending across the first region and the second region, and an amount of heat generated by the heat generating resistor at its end portion is greater than that at its middle portion in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sho Taguchi, Masahiko Suzumi, Masahito Omata, Shoichiro Ikegami, Takeharu Nakada
  • Publication number: 20150261145
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular film; a heater including a substrate and a heat generating resistor, the heater having a first region on which the heat generating resistor is formed and a second region, located outside of the first region in a longitudinal direction of the substrate, on which the heat generating resistor is not formed; and a heat conductive member configured to contact a surface of the heater opposite to a surface of the heater that contacts the film, the heat conductive member having a higher heat conductivity than the substrate. The heat conductive member contacts the heater in a region extending across the first region and the second region, and an amount of heat generated by the heat generating resistor at its end portion is greater than that at its middle portion in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Sho Taguchi, Masahiko Suzumi, Masahito Omata, Shoichiro Ikegami, Takeharu Nakada
  • Publication number: 20150139707
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus configured to heat a recording material having a toner image formed thereon and fix the toner image fixing on the recording material comprising: a film; a heater configured to contact the film, the heater including a substrate and a heat generation resistor formed on the substrate; a thermal conduction member configured to contact a surface of the heater opposite to a surface of the heater that contacts the film, the thermal conduction member having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the substrate; and a pressurizing roller configured to form a pressing portion with the heater via the film, wherein the thermal conduction member contacts the heater so as not to overlap with an end region of the heat generation resistor in a longitudinal direction of the heat generation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Masahiko Suzumi, Masahito Omata, Shoichiro Ikegami, Sho Taguchi, Takeharu Nakada
  • Publication number: 20150086253
    Abstract: The fixing device includes a rotary member for contacting the unfixed toner image, a pressure member for forming the nip portion by contacting the rotary member, and a cover for covering the rotary member with a space between the rotary member and the cover, wherein in a cross section of the fixing device, the cross section being orthogonal to a generatrix direction of the rotary member, wherein a shortest distance (H) between the nip portion and a farthest surface portion of the rotary member farthest away from a surface portion forming the nip portion of the rotary member, a maximum width (W) of the rotary member in the conveyance direction of the recording member, and an area (S) of the space in a range of the maximum width W in the cross section satisfy with a relationship of S/W?0.7×H.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Masahito Omata, Shoichiro Ikegami, Masahiko Suzumi, Terutaka Endo, Takeshi Niimura, Takehiko Suzuki, Toshihiko Ochiai
  • Patent number: 8712303
    Abstract: An image heating device includes a heating rotatable member; and a pressing pad contacted to said heating rotatable member and forming a nip with said heating rotatable member to nip and feed a recording material, said pressing member being provided with an electroconductive material dispersed resin material layer contacting said heating rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsutoshi Ando, Shoichiro Ikegami
  • Patent number: 8670702
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a heating rotatable member; a pad-like pressing member contacted to the heating rotatable member and cooperating with the heating rotatable member to provide a nip for nipping and feeding a recording material, wherein the pressing member includes a base material having a roughened surface and a parting layer on the roughened surface, the parting layer being contacted to the heating rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichiro Ikegami, Akihito Kanamori, Atsutoshi Ando