Patents by Inventor Tianjin Xie
Tianjin Xie 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).
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Patent number: 12077402Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a support surface configured to support a sheet, a sheet feeding roller configured to feed the sheet in a conveying direction, a separation member for separating the sheet one by one and positioned downstream of the sheet feeding roller in the conveying direction, and a regulating member displaceable between a first position where the regulating member abuts against a distal end of the sheet supported by the support surface to regulate passage of the sheet in the conveying direction between the sheet feeding roller and the separation member and a second position that is farther from a conveyance path than the first position and that allows passage of the sheet in the conveying direction. The regulating member has a wall surface that abuts against the distal end of the sheet and includes at least one protrusion on the wall surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2021Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tianjin Xie, Akinari Ishibe
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Patent number: 11553098Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a motor, a sheet feeding roller, a separation roller, a conveyance roller, a first clutch set provided in a transmission path of a driving force transmitted from the motor to the sheet feeding roller, and a second clutch set provided in a transmission path of a driving force transmitted from the motor to the separation roller. The first clutch set includes a first one-way clutch and a first two-way clutch, and the second clutch set includes a second one-way clutch and a second two-way clutch. A maximum value of a first play angle set between a first transmission portion and a first transmitted portion in the first two-way clutch is larger than a maximum value of a second play angle set between a second transmission portion and a second transmitted portion in the second two-way clutch.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideaki Yoshimune, Tianjin Xie
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Publication number: 20220150373Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a motor, a sheet feeding roller, a separation roller, a conveyance roller, a first clutch set provided in a transmission path of a driving force transmitted from the motor to the sheet feeding roller, and a second clutch set provided in a transmission path of a driving force transmitted from the motor to the separation roller. The first clutch set includes a first one-way clutch and a first two-way clutch, and the second clutch set includes a second one-way clutch and a second two-way clutch. A maximum value of a first play angle set between a first transmission portion and a first transmitted portion in the first two-way clutch is larger than a maximum value of a second play angle set between a second transmission portion and a second transmitted portion in the second two-way clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2021Publication date: May 12, 2022Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideaki YOSHIMUNE, Tianjin XIE
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Publication number: 20220144566Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a support surface configured to support a sheet, a sheet feeding roller configured to feed the sheet in a conveying direction, a separation member for separating the sheet one by one and positioned downstream of the sheet feeding roller in the conveying direction, and a regulating member displaceable between a first position where the regulating member abuts against a distal end of the sheet supported by the support surface to regulate passage of the sheet in the conveying direction between the sheet feeding roller and the separation member and a second position that is farther from a conveyance path than the first position and that allows passage of the sheet in the conveying direction. The regulating member has a wall surface that abuts against the distal end of the sheet and includes at least one protrusion on the wall surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2021Publication date: May 12, 2022Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tianjin XIE, Akinari ISHIBE
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Patent number: 10567611Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a housing, a transport unit, a first reader, a controller, and a positioning mechanism. The controller controls the transport unit to transport a second medium different in thickness from a first medium in a first transport direction and then in a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction. The positioning mechanism moves the first reader from a first position to a second position by using a drive force by which the transport unit transports the second medium in the first transport direction. The positioning mechanism maintains the first reader at the second position while the second medium transported by the transport unit in the second transport direction is passing the first reader, and moves the first reader from the second position to the first position after the first reader reads the image on the first side of the second medium.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2019Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoshi Miyase, Katsuro Miura, Tianjin Xie
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Patent number: 10491771Abstract: An image reading apparatus, having a body, a feeder tray, a conveyer, a first reader, and a shifting device, is provided. The body includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and a conveyance guide. The feeder tray being at a closed position covers the first inlet and the feeder tray being at an open position exposes the first inlet. The conveyer conveys a readable medium guided by the conveyer guide. The first reader reads an image on a first side of the readable medium conveyed by the conveyer. The shifting device shifts the first reader to a first position in a case where the feeder tray moves from the closed position to the open position and to a second position in a case where the feeder tray moves from the open position to the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuro Miura, Tianjin Xie, Satoshi Miyase
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Publication number: 20190306364Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a housing, a transport unit, a first reader, a controller, and a positioning mechanism. The controller controls the transport unit to transport a second medium different in thickness from a first medium in a first transport direction and then in a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction. The positioning mechanism moves the first reader from a first position to a second position by using a drive force by which the transport unit transports the second medium in the first transport direction. The positioning mechanism maintains the first reader at the second position while the second medium transported by the transport unit in the second transport direction is passing the first reader, and moves the first reader from the second position to the first position after the first reader reads the image on the first side of the second medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Satoshi Miyase, Katsuro Miura, Tianjin Xie
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Publication number: 20190199876Abstract: An image reading apparatus, having a body, a feeder tray, a conveyer, a first reader, and a shifting device, is provided. The body includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and a conveyance guide. The feeder tray being at a closed position covers the first inlet and the feeder tray being at an open position exposes the first inlet. The conveyer conveys a readable medium guided by the conveyer guide. The first reader reads an image on a first side of the readable medium conveyed by the conveyer. The shifting device shifts the first reader to a first position in a case where the feeder tray moves from the closed position to the open position and to a second position in a case where the feeder tray moves from the open position to the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuro MIURA, Tianjin XIE, Satoshi MIYASE
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Patent number: 10023412Abstract: A conveying device conveys a sheet selectively along a first conveying path and a second conveying path which are connected at a junction into a common path portion. A reading unit reads an image of a sheet conveyed in the common path portion. A shutter is disposed in the second conveying path at a position upstream of the junction in a sheet conveying direction. The shutter is movable between a first position and a second position. The actuator is disposed in the common path portion and movable between a third position and a fourth position in response to the shutter moving between the first position and the second position, respectively. In a case where a detection sensor detects that the actuator is at the fourth position, a controller controls the conveying device to convey the sheet along the second conveying path.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuhiro Nakashima, Katsuro Miura, Noriyuki Kawamata, Tianjin Xie
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Patent number: 9868608Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus, including a conveyer to convey a sheet in a predetermined conveying direction along a predetermined conveyer path, and a discharger forming a part of the conveyer to discharge the sheet from the conveyer path, is provided. The discharger includes a driving roller, a pinch roller arranged to confront the driving roller across the conveyer path, and an urging member to urge the pinch roller against the driving roller. The conveyer includes a chute member. The chute member includes a guiding face defining a part of the conveyer path, a supporting face to support one end of the urging member, and a contact face located on a particular face of the chute member opposite from the supporting face. The sheet conveying apparatus includes a plate member made of metal arranged to extend in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction and to contact the contact face.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2017Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuro Miura, Tianjin Xie
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Publication number: 20170327331Abstract: A conveying device conveys a sheet selectively along a first conveying path and a second conveying path which are connected at a junction into a common path portion. A reading unit reads an image of a sheet conveyed in the common path portion. A shutter is disposed in the second conveying path at a position upstream of the junction in a sheet conveying direction. The shutter is movable between a first position and a second position. The actuator is disposed in the common path portion and movable between a third position and a fourth position in response to the shutter moving between the first position and the second position, respectively. In a case where a detection sensor detects that the actuator is at the fourth position, a controller controls the conveying device to convey the sheet along the second conveying path.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakashima, Katsuro Miura, Noriyuki Kawamata, Tianjin Xie
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Publication number: 20170247216Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus, including a conveyer to convey a sheet in a predetermined conveying direction along a predetermined conveyer path, and a discharger forming a part of the conveyer to discharge the sheet from the conveyer path, is provided. The discharger includes a driving roller, a pinch roller arranged to confront the driving roller across the conveyer path, and an urging member to urge the pinch roller against the driving roller. The conveyer includes a chute member. The chute member includes a guiding face defining a part of the conveyer path, a supporting face to support one end of the urging member, and a contact face located on a particular face of the chute member opposite from the supporting face. The sheet conveying apparatus includes a plate member made of metal arranged to extend in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction and to contact the contact face.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Katsuro Miura, Tianjin Xie
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Patent number: 9723160Abstract: A sheet conveyor includes: a sheet conveyor; a supporter including a movable guide and having a first and second end portions in a widthwise direction; and a first cover adjacent to the first end portion. The supporter has an upstream edge in the conveying direction. A first-end upstream end portion of the upstream edge is nearer to the sheet conveyor than a second-end upstream end portion of the upstream edge. The first cover has a first region and a second region. The first region has a height greater than or equal to that of the guide and extends to a position located upstream of an upstream, end portion of the guide. The second region is located upstream of the first region, and the second region is less in height than the first region. The first-end upstream end portion overlaps the first region when viewed in the widthwise direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tianjin Xie, Takashi Fujiwara, Yusaku Seki, Yukihiko Sato
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Patent number: 9538030Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a scanner housing, a document support member supported by the scanner housing, a reader configured to read an image of a document supported on a document support surface of the document support member, a movable member holding the reader, and a flat cable connected to the reader at one end. The scanner housing includes a peripheral wall including a particular wall. The particular wall includes a restricting portion protruding from the particular wall in a first direction parallel to the document support surface such that the restricting portion restricts the facing surface of the flat cable from contacting the flat surface of the document support member by contacting an outer portion of the facing surface of the flat cable. The restricting portion includes a restricting surface located closer to a bottom wall surface of the scanner housing than the document support member.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tianjin Xie
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Publication number: 20160309046Abstract: A sheet conveyor includes: a sheet conveyor; a supporter including a movable guide and having a first and second end portions in a widthwise direction; and a first cover adjacent to the first end portion. The supporter has an upstream edge in the conveying direction. A first-end upstream end portion of the upstream edge is nearer to the sheet conveyor than a second-end upstream end portion of the upstream edge. The first cover has a first region and a second region. The first region has a height greater than or equal to that of the guide and extends to a position located upstream of an upstream, end portion of the guide. The second region is located upstream of the first region, and the second region is less in height than the first region. The first-end upstream end portion overlaps the first region when viewed in the widthwise direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tianjin XIE, Takashi FUJIWARA, Yusaku SEKI, Yukihiko SATO
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Publication number: 20160094739Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a scanner housing, a document support member supported by the scanner housing, a reader configured to read an image of a document supported on a document support surface of the document support member, a movable member holding the reader, and a flat cable connected to the reader at one end. The scanner housing includes a peripheral wall including a particular wall. The particular wall includes a restricting portion protruding from the particular wall in a first direction parallel to the document support surface such that the restricting portion restricts the facing surface of the flat cable from contacting the flat surface of the document support member by contacting an outer portion of the facing surface of the flat cable. The restricting portion includes a restricting surface located closer to a bottom wall surface of the scanner housing than the document support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventor: Tianjin Xie
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Patent number: 9300826Abstract: A multi-function peripheral including an opening-closing member supported by a main body to be swingable around a first axis parallel to a side surface of the main body, between a closed position and an open position, a sheet supporter supported by the main body to be swingable around a second axis parallel to the first axis, between a first position to be on a trajectory of the opening-closing member and a second position to be slanted relative to the side surface, a hinge disposed between the main body and the opening-closing member and including a base attached to the main body to be movable in a vertical direction together with the first axis, and a link mechanism disposed between the base and the sheet supporter and configured to move the sheet supporter to the second position in conjunction with an upward movement of the base.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Muneaki Takahata, Yuta Uchino, Tianjin Xie
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Publication number: 20150181062Abstract: A multi-function peripheral including an opening-closing member supported by a main body to be swingable around a first axis parallel to a side surface of the main body, between a closed position and an open position, a sheet supporter supported by the main body to be swingable around a second axis parallel to the first axis, between a first position to be on a trajectory of the opening-closing member and a second position to be slanted relative to the side surface, a hinge disposed between the main body and the opening-closing member and including a base attached to the main body to be movable in a vertical direction together with the first axis, and a link mechanism disposed between the base and the sheet supporter and configured to move the sheet supporter to the second position in conjunction with an upward movement of the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Muneaki TAKAHATA, Yuta UCHINO, Tianjin XIE
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Patent number: 8967619Abstract: An image reading apparatus has a separation section configured to supply a sheet one by one, at least three driving rollers arranged downstream of the separation section in a sheet conveying direction and configured to convey the sheet, at least three driven rollers configured to be urged by the driving rollers and driven to rotate by rotation of the driving rollers, respectively, and an image reader unit configured to read an image of the sheet conveyed in the conveying direction. Sheet conveying forces by one of at least three driven rollers and one of at least three driving rollers arranged at the central portions in the sheet width direction is greater than sheet conveying forces by others of the at least three driven rollers and others of the at least three driving rollers arranged at both side portions in the sheet width direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Muneaki Takahata, Tianjin Xie
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Publication number: 20140138902Abstract: An image reading apparatus has a separation section configured to supply a sheet one by one, at least three driving rollers arranged on a downstream, in a sheet conveying direction, of the separation section and configured to convey the sheet, at least three driven rollers configured to be urged by the driving rollers and driven to rotate by rotation of the driving rollers, respectively, and an image reader unit configured to read an image of the sheet conveyed in the conveying direction. Sheet conveying forces by one of at least three driven rollers and one of at least three driving rollers arranged at the central portions in the sheet width direction is greater than sheet conveying forces by others of the at least three driven rollers and others of the at least three driving rollers arranged at both side portions in the sheet width direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Muneaki Takahata, Tianjin Xie