Patents by Inventor Tsukasa Satoh

Tsukasa Satoh 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).

  • Patent number: 10209651
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a pressure rotator to press against a fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A cleaning web cleans one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A web driver displaces the cleaning web to change a contact portion of the cleaning web, which contacts the one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A controller performs a temperature maintenance and rotation control to heat and rotate the fixing rotator at a predetermined time when the fixing device is in a standby mode in which the recording medium is not conveyed through the fixing nip. The controller controls the web driver at a predetermined time to perform a standby mode cleaning control to change the contact portion of the cleaning web according to an implementation status of the temperature maintenance and rotation control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Satoh, Kyohhei Okuno
  • Patent number: 9971286
    Abstract: A control method of an image forming apparatus including a fixing rotator includes transiting the image forming apparatus to a standby mode; detecting a temperature of the fixing rotator when the image forming apparatus is in the standby mode; determining that the fixing rotator is in a low temperature state that does not satisfy a predetermined heating condition based on the detected temperature of the fixing rotator; detecting at least one of an electric voltage, an electric current, and an electric power input to the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is in the standby mode; determining that the image forming apparatus is in a low input state that does not satisfy a predetermined input condition based on the detected one of the electric voltage, the electric current, and the electric power; and issuing a notification that urges a recovery operation of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Kikegawa, Tsukasa Satoh
  • Patent number: 9958815
    Abstract: A control method of an image forming apparatus including a fixing device including a fixing rotator includes starting warming up the fixing device; detecting at least one of an electric voltage, an electric current, and an electric power input to the image forming apparatus when the fixing device is warmed up; detecting a temperature of the fixing rotator when the fixing device is warmed up; determining that the image forming apparatus is in a low input state that does not satisfy a predetermined input condition based on the detected one of the electric voltage, the electric current, and the electric power; determining that the fixing rotator is in a low temperature state that does not satisfy a predetermined heating condition based on the detected temperature of the fixing rotator; and issuing a notification that urges a recovery operation of the fixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Kikegawa, Tsukasa Satoh
  • Publication number: 20180095389
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a pressure rotator to press against a fixing rotator to form a fixing nip therebetween, through which a recording medium is conveyed. A cleaning web cleans one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A web driver displaces the cleaning web to change a contact portion of the cleaning web, which contacts the one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. A controller performs a temperature maintenance and rotation control to heat and rotate the fixing rotator at a predetermined time when the fixing device is in a standby mode in which the recording medium is not conveyed through the fixing nip. The controller controls the web driver at a predetermined time to perform a standby mode cleaning control to change the contact portion of the cleaning web according to an implementation status of the temperature maintenance and rotation control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Satoh, Kyohhei Okuno
  • Publication number: 20170336740
    Abstract: A control method of an image forming apparatus including a fixing rotator includes transiting the image forming apparatus to a standby mode; detecting a temperature of the fixing rotator when the image forming apparatus is in the standby mode; determining that the fixing rotator is in a low temperature state that does not satisfy a predetermined heating condition based on the detected temperature of the fixing rotator; detecting at least one of an electric voltage, an electric current, and an electric power input to the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is in the standby mode; determining that the image forming apparatus is in a low input state that does not satisfy a predetermined input condition based on the detected one of the electric voltage, the electric current, and the electric power; and issuing a notification that urges a recovery operation of the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Ryuichi KIKEGAWA, Tsukasa SATOH
  • Publication number: 20170336741
    Abstract: A control method of an image forming apparatus including a fixing device including a fixing rotator includes starting warming up the fixing device; detecting at least one of an electric voltage, an electric current, and an electric power input to the image forming apparatus when the fixing device is warmed up; detecting a temperature of the fixing rotator when the fixing device is warmed up; determining that the image forming apparatus is in a low input state that does not satisfy a predetermined input condition based on the detected one of the electric voltage, the electric current, and the electric power; determining that the fixing rotator is in a low temperature state that does not satisfy a predetermined heating condition based on the detected temperature of the fixing rotator; and issuing a notification that urges a recovery operation of the fixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Ryuichi KIKEGAWA, Tsukasa SATOH
  • Patent number: 9645535
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotational member configured to convey and heat a sheet-shaped recording medium, the rotational member including a first heating member and a second heating member provided in parallel to a rotational axis of the rotational member in an interior thereof, the first heating member including a first heat generation part, the second heating member including a second heat generation part and an auxiliary heat generation part adjacent to the second heat generation part, a common temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the first heating member and a temperature of the second heating member, and a control part configured to control a ratio of a rate of lighting of the first heating member and a rate of lighting of the second heating member based on the temperature of the first heating member and the temperature of the second heating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori Yamaoka, Shinichi Namekata, Tsukasa Satoh
  • Patent number: 9563157
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a heating roller and a fixing roller over which the fixing belt is looped, a pressure roller forming a fixing nip with the fixing belt, a pair of side plates, one of the side plates being disposed on each end of a shaft of the fixing roller and each end of a shaft of the heating roller, and heating roller holding members to hold corresponding insulating bushing, and corresponding heating roller bearings, the heating roller holding members being attached to opening parts of the side plates. The heating roller holding members are formed of two separate components such that the heating roller is capable of moving along the opening parts formed in the side plates toward the fixing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Kato, Tsukasa Satoh, Yoshikuni Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9176444
    Abstract: The present invention is concerning to a fixing unit position-adjusting apparatus including: a first member configured to include a positioning portion that is formed on a lateral surface of the first member, the positioning portion being engaged with a positioning portion of a main body so that the first member is mounted on the main body in a manner positionable in a left and right direction; and a second member configured to include a reference pin insertion portion that is formed to receive insertion of a reference pin of the main body, the second member being assembled with the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Kato, Yoshikuni Sasaki, Tsukasa Satoh
  • Patent number: 9141048
    Abstract: A fixing device, corresponding to a plurality of sheet passing widths, includes a rotating member configured to convey a recording medium, rise in temperature, and fix toner; temperature sensors configured to detect the surface temperature of the rotating member; heating members including at least one heat generating unit, provided inside the rotating member; and a control unit configured to control a heating state obtained by the heating members. The heat generating units are provided not to overlap each other in the direction of the sheet passing width orthogonal to the recording medium conveying direction. The temperature sensors are only placed at positions corresponding to the heat generating units used when printing on the recording medium having a minimum width. The control unit controls the heating state in accordance with the surface temperature, a sheet passing width, and an operational state of the rotating member that changes with time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Satoh, Hironori Yamaoka, Shinichi Namekata
  • Publication number: 20140376938
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotational member configured to convey and heat a sheet-shaped recording medium, the rotational member including a first heating member and a second heating member provided in parallel to a rotational axis of the rotational member in an interior thereof, the first heating member including a first heat generation part, the second heating member including a second heat generation part and an auxiliary heat generation part adjacent to the second heat generation part, a common temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the first heating member and a temperature of the second heating member, and a control part configured to control a ratio of a rate of lighting of the first heating member and a rate of lighting of the second heating member based on the temperature of the first heating member and the temperature of the second heating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hironori YAMAOKA, Shinichi NAMEKATA, Tsukasa SATOH
  • Publication number: 20140270824
    Abstract: A fixing device, corresponding to a plurality of sheet passing widths, includes a rotating member configured to convey a recording medium, rise in temperature, and fix toner; temperature sensors configured to detect the surface temperature of the rotating member; heating members including at least one heat generating unit, provided inside the rotating member; and a control unit configured to control a heating state obtained by the heating members. The heat generating units are provided not to overlap each other in the direction of the sheet passing width orthogonal to the recording medium conveying direction. The temperature sensors are only placed at positions corresponding to the heat generating units used when printing on the recording medium having a minimum width. The control unit controls the heating state in accordance with the surface temperature, a sheet passing width, and an operational state of the rotating member that changes with time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsukasa SATOH, Hironori YAMAOKA, Shinichi NAMEKATA
  • Publication number: 20140270873
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing belt, a heating roller and a fixing roller over which the fixing belt is looped, a pressure roller forming a fixing nip with the fixing belt, a pair of side plates, one of the side plates being disposed on each end of a shaft of the fixing roller and each end of a shaft of the heating roller, and heating roller holding members to hold corresponding insulating bushing, and corresponding heating roller bearings, the heating roller holding members being attached to opening parts of the side plates. The heating roller holding members are formed of two separate components such that the heating roller is capable of moving along the opening parts formed in the side plates toward the fixing roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichiro KATO, Tsukasa SATOH, Yoshikuni SASAKI
  • Publication number: 20140193175
    Abstract: The present invention is concerning to a fixing unit position-adjusting apparatus including: a first member configured to include a positioning portion that is formed on a lateral surface of the first member, the positioning portion being engaged with a positioning portion of a main body so that the first member is mounted on the main body in a manner positionable in a left and right direction; and a second member configured to include a reference pin insertion portion that is formed to receive insertion of a reference pin of the main body, the second member being assembled with the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Kato, Yoshikuni Sasaki, Tsukasa Satoh
  • Patent number: 7665499
    Abstract: In a laminating apparatus for a ceramic green sheet according to the present invention, cutting means and laminating means are positioned on a conveying path of a carrier film conveyed by conveying means. Specifically, cutting of the ceramic green sheet and lamination of sheet pieces are carried out on a single conveying path. Consequently, the reduction of production efficiency is prevented significantly. Furthermore, the position of the cutting means and the position of the laminating means are different. Therefore, even when cut scraps are generated when the ceramic green sheet is cut by the cutting means, the cut scraps are significantly prevented from entering between layers in a green sheet laminated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshimi Yodokawa, Susumu Nakamura, Kikuo Takahashi, Makoto Takahashi, Hiroshi Yagi, Tsukasa Satoh
  • Publication number: 20060219364
    Abstract: In a laminating apparatus for a ceramic green sheet according to the present invention, cutting means and laminating means are positioned on a conveying path of a carrier film conveyed by conveying means. Specifically, cutting of the ceramic green sheet and lamination of sheet pieces are carried out on a single conveying path. Consequently, the reduction of production efficiency is prevented significantly. Furthermore, the position of the cutting means and the position of the laminating means are different. Therefore, even when cut scraps are generated when the ceramic green sheet is cut by the cutting means, the cut scraps are significantly prevented from entering between layers in a green sheet laminated body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshimi Yodokawa, Susumu Nakamura, Kikuo Takahashi, Makoto Takahashi, Hiroshi Yagi, Tsukasa Satoh
  • Publication number: 20060219070
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus for a ceramic green sheet according to the present invention is a cutting apparatus for a ceramic green sheet for cutting a ceramic green sheet held on a carrier film into a square-shaped sheet piece, and comprises four roller cutters, each of which is disposed so as to correspond to each edge of the sheet piece, and moving means for moving the roller cutters along the corresponding edges of the sheet piece. In this cutting apparatus, the four edges of the sheet piece are cut by the roller cutters, thus cutting failures on the ceramic green sheet are significantly prevented. Furthermore, each of the edges of the sheet piece is cut without changing the position of the cutters, thus improvement of cutting dimensional accuracy is realized, compared to the conventional apparatus in which the position of the cutter is changed when cutting each edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshimi Yodokawa, Susumu Nakamura, Kikuo Takahashi, Makoto Takahashi, Hiroshi Yagi, Tsukasa Satoh
  • Patent number: 6288886
    Abstract: A capacitor constituted of a dielectric ceramic material is provided with through holes, with electrodes formed at the two surfaces at which the through holes open. One of the electrodes is secured onto a raised portion of a grounding metal. Conductors which pass through the capacitor and the grounding metal are electrically connected to an electrode opposite the electrode secured onto a raised portion of the grounding metal. Insulating resins fill the spaces around the capacitor. One end surface of an insulating cover is set facing opposite an inner surface of the raised portion of the grounding metal over a gap with an inner insulating resin filling the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Sato, Setsuo Sasaki, Tsukasa Satoh, Isao Fujiwara, Yoshiyuki Itoh
  • Patent number: 5677055
    Abstract: A stretched resin film having as a base material a resin composition composed of the following components (A), (B), (C) and (D):(A) a thermoplastic polyester resin100 parts by weight;(B) a modified olefin based resin obtained by graft polymerizing 0.01 to 20 parts by weight of an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylate based monomer having a hydroxyl group and 0.01 to 50 parts by weight of an aromatic vinyl compound onto 100 parts by weight of an olefin based resin3 to 100 parts by weight;(C) a polyethylene resin having a molecular weight of 1,000 to 10,0001 to 10 parts by weight; and(D) a bisphenol epoxy resin1 to 10 parts by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Oji-Yuka Synthetic Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Ohkawachi, Kenji Nakajima, Tsukasa Satoh