Patents by Inventor Yasushi Fujiwara

Yasushi Fujiwara 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: 9323190
    Abstract: In a fixing device for thermally fixing a developer image transferred onto a recording sheet, a nip plate is disposed on an inner surface of a tubular flexible fusing member which is flexibly deformable in such a manner that permits the fusing member to slide along the nip plate, and configured to be heated by a heating element disposed inside the fusing member. The fusing member is nipped between the nip plate and a backup member to form a nip portion between the fusing member and the backup member. The nip plate is bent to form a recessed portion which opens on the inner surface of the fusing member and holds a lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujiwara, Kei Ishida, Noboru Suzuki, Yoshihiro Miyauchi, Tomohiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 9323184
    Abstract: A fixing device for thermally fixing a developer image transferred onto a recording sheet, includes: a flexible fusing member which is flexibly deformable; a heating element; a nip member disposed in such a manner as to contact with a surface of the flexible fusing member and to allow the flexible fusing member to slide along the nip member; a reflecting plate configured to reflect radiant heat from the heating element in a direction toward the nip member; a backup member configured to nip the flexible fusing member with the nip member to thereby form a nip portion for the recording sheet between the flexible fusing member and the backup member; and a stay configured to support both end portions of the nip member. The reflecting plate has at least one flange portion, and the flange portion is held and supported between the nip member and the stay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Miyauchi, Yasushi Fujiwara, Takuji Matsuno, Kei Ishida, Noboru Suzuki, Tomohiro Kondo
  • Publication number: 20160085190
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular fusing film, a heater, a nip member, a backup member, a backup member, first supporting member, and a second supporting member. The heater may be disposed inside the tubular shape of the fusing film. The nip member may be disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the inner surface of the fusing film and heated by the heater. The backup member may form a nip portion between the backup member and the fusing film with the fusing film between the backup member and the nip member. The first supporting member may be configured to integrally support the heater and the nip member. The second supporting member may be configured to movably support the first supporting member so that the nip member moves relative to the backup member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujiwara, Noboru Suzuki, Kei Ishida, Yoshihiro Miyauchi, Tomohiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 9274472
    Abstract: A fixing device for thermally fixing an image to a sheet includes: a tubular flexible member; a nip member; a heater; a reflection member; a backup member; and a temperature sensor. The tubular flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The nip member is disposed in the internal space and has a surface and an opposite surface. The heater is disposed in the internal space confronting the nip member. The reflection member is configured to reflect radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member. The backup member may provide a nip region with the nip member for nipping the tubular flexible member between the backup member and the nip member. The temperature sensor is disposed in the internal space and is configured to detect a temperature of the nip member. The temperature sensor is positioned outside of the reflection member and confronting the opposite surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kei Ishida, Yasushi Fujiwara, Noboru Suzuki, Yoshihiro Miyauchi, Tomohiro Kondo
  • Publication number: 20160033909
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating element disposed inside a flexible fusing member, a nip member disposed to contact with a surface of the flexible fusing member and to allow the flexible fusing member to slide along the nip member, a reflecting plate for reflecting radiant heat from the heating element toward the nip member, and a backup member for nipping the flexible fusing member with the nip member. The reflecting plate includes a central reflecting portion extending along a longitudinal direction of the heating element at least in a region corresponding to along a heat generating portion of the heating element, and end reflecting portions stationarily provided on both ends of the central reflecting portion. The end reflecting portions are disposed in positions longitudinally outward of the heat generating portion and each has a reflecting surface tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kondo, Yasushi Fujiwara, Kei Ishida, Noboru Suzuki, Takuji Matsuno
  • Patent number: 9158243
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating element disposed inside a flexible fusing member, a nip member disposed to contact with a surface of the flexible fusing member and to allow the flexible fusing member to slide along the nip member, a reflecting plate for reflecting radiant heat from the heating element toward the nip member, and a backup member for nipping the flexible fusing member with the nip member. The reflecting plate includes a central reflecting portion extending along a longitudinal direction of the heating element at least in a region corresponding to along a heat generating portion of the heating element, and end reflecting portions stationarily provided on both ends of the central reflecting portion. The end reflecting portions are disposed in positions longitudinally outward of the heat generating portion and each has a reflecting surface tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kondo, Yasushi Fujiwara, Kei Ishida, Noboru Suzuki, Takuji Matsuno
  • Patent number: 9146510
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular fusing film, a heater, a nip member, a backup member, a backup member, first supporting member, and a second supporting member. The heater may be disposed inside the tubular shape of the fusing film. The nip member may be disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the inner surface of the fusing film and heated by the heater. The backup member may form a nip portion between the backup member and the fusing film with the fusing film between the backup member and the nip member. The first supporting member may be configured to integrally support the heater and the nip member. The second supporting member may be configured to movably support the first supporting member so that the nip member moves relative to the backup member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujiwara, Noboru Suzuki, Kei Ishida, Yoshihiro Miyauchi, Tomohiro Kondo
  • Publication number: 20140341628
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular fusing film, a heater, a nip member, a backup member, a backup member, first supporting member, and a second supporting member. The heater may be disposed inside the tubular shape of the fusing film. The nip member may be disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the inner surface of the fusing film and heated by the heater. The backup member may form a nip portion between the backup member and the fusing film with the fusing film between the backup member and the nip member. The first supporting member may be configured to integrally support the heater and the nip member. The second supporting member may be configured to movably support the first supporting member so that the nip member moves relative to the backup member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujiwara, Noboru Suzuki, Kei Ishida, Yoshihiro Miyauchi, Tomohiro Kondo
  • Publication number: 20140248073
    Abstract: In a fixing device for thermally fixing a developer image transferred onto a recording sheet, a nip plate is disposed on an inner surface of a tubular flexible fusing member which is flexibly deformable in such a manner that permits the fusing member to slide along the nip plate, and configured to be heated by a heating element disposed inside the fusing member. The fusing member is nipped between the nip plate and a backup member to form a nip portion between the fusing member and the backup member. The nip plate is bent to form a recessed portion which opens on the inner surface of the fusing member and holds a lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujiwara, Kei Ishida, Noboru Suzuki, Yoshihiro Miyauchi, Tomohiro Kondo
  • Publication number: 20140153979
    Abstract: There is provided a fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet. The fixing device includes a tubular flexible member, a heater, a nip member, a reflection plate, a backup member, a stay and a temperature sensor. The flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed in the internal space and is configured to generate a radiant heat. The nip member is disposed in the internal space, the inner peripheral surface being in sliding contact with the nip member. The reflection plate is configured to reflect the radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member, the reflection plate having an outer profile. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the flexible member between the backup member and the nip member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Miyauchi, Yasushi Fujiwara, Noboru Suzuki, Kei Ishida, Tomohiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 8737898
    Abstract: There is provided a fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet. The fixing device includes a tubular flexible member, a heater, a nip member, a reflection plate, a backup member, a stay and a temperature sensor. The flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed in the internal space and is configured to generate a radiant heat. The nip member is disposed in the internal space, the inner peripheral surface being in sliding contact with the nip member. The reflection plate is configured to reflect the radiant heat from the heater toward the nip member, the reflection plate having an outer profile. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the flexible member between the backup member and the nip member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Miyauchi, Yasushi Fujiwara, Noboru Suzuki, Kei Ishida, Tomohiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 8737893
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular fusing film, a heater, a nip member, a backup member, a backup member, first supporting member, and a second supporting member. The heater may be disposed inside the tubular shape of the fusing film. The nip member may be disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the inner surface of the fusing film and heated by the heater. The backup member may form a nip portion between the backup member and the fusing film with the fusing film between the backup member and the nip member. The first supporting member may be configured to integrally support the heater and the nip member. The second supporting member may be configured to movably support the first supporting member so that the nip member moves relative to the backup member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujiwara, Noboru Suzuki, Kei Ishida, Yoshihiro Miyauchi, Tomohiro Kondo, Tsuneo Fujiwara, Etsuko Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20130216285
    Abstract: A fixing device for thermally fixing a developer image transferred onto a recording sheet, includes: a flexible fusing member which is flexibly deformable; a heating element; a nip member disposed in such a manner as to contact with a surface of the flexible fusing member and to allow the flexible fusing member to slide along the nip member; a reflecting plate configured to reflect radiant heat from the heating element in a direction toward the nip member; a backup member configured to nip the flexible fusing member with the nip member to thereby form a nip portion for the recording sheet between the flexible fusing member and the backup member; and a stay configured to support both end portions of the nip member. The reflecting plate has at least one flange portion, and the flange portion is held and supported between the nip member and the stay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro MIYAUCHI, Yasushi FUJIWARA, Takuji MATSUNO, Kei ISHIDA, Noboru SUZUKI, Tomohiro KONDO
  • Publication number: 20110211882
    Abstract: There is provided a fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet. The fixing device includes a tubular flexible member, a nip member, a backup member and a restricting member. The tubular flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and an outer peripheral surface opposite to the inner peripheral surface, the tubular flexible member defining an axis extending in an axial direction. The nip member is disposed within the internal space. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the tubular flexible member between the backup member and the nip member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noboru SUZUKI, Kei ISHIDA, Yasushi FUJIWARA, Tsuneo FUJIWARA, Etsuko FUJIWARA, Yoshihiro MIYAUCHI, Tomohiro KONDO
  • Publication number: 20110211881
    Abstract: There is provided a fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet. The fixing device includes a tubular flexible member, a nip member, a backup member and a restricting member. The tubular flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space and an outer peripheral surface opposite to the inner peripheral surface, the tubular flexible member defining an axis extending in an axial direction. The nip member is disposed within the internal space. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the tubular flexible member between the backup member and the nip member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noboru SUZUKI, Kei ISHIDA, Yasushi FUJIWARA, Tsuneo FUJIWARA, Estuko Fujiwara, Yoshihiro MIYAUCHI, Tomohiro KONDO
  • Publication number: 20110206406
    Abstract: There is provided a fixing device for thermally fixing a developing agent image to a sheet. The fixing device includes a tubular flexible member, a heater, a nip member and a backup member. The tubular flexible member has an inner peripheral surface defining an internal space. The heater is disposed within the internal space and is configured to generate a radiant heat. The nip member is disposed within the internal space and is configured to receive the radiant heat from the heater, the inner peripheral surface being in sliding contact with the nip member, and the nip member being electrically conductive and the tubular flexible member being grounded via the nip member. The backup member is configured to provide a nip region in cooperation with the nip member for nipping the tubular flexible member between the backup member and the nip member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noboru SUZUKI, Kei ISHIDA, Yasushi FUJIWARA, Tsuneo FUJIWARA, Yasushi FUJIWARA, Etsuko FUJIWARA, Yoshihiro Miyauchi, Tomohiro KONDO
  • Publication number: 20110206409
    Abstract: An image forming device includes: a heater; a nip member; a stay; a tubular flexible fusing member; a pair of frame members; a backup member; and a ventilator. The heater is configured to radiate radiant heat. The nip member is configured to receive the radiant heat from the heater. The stay has an inner surface confronting the heater and an outer surface in opposition to the inner surface. The stay is configured to cover the heater and to support the nip member. The tubular flexible fusing member has end portions in an axial direction and an inner peripheral surface. The fusing member is configured to surround the heater, the nip member and the stay. The pair of frame members is disposed at the end portions. One of the frame members is formed with an inlet opening. Remaining one of the frame members is formed with an outlet opening. The inlet opening and the outlet opening are in fluid communication with a space defined between the inner peripheral surface and the outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro KONDO, Kei ISHIDA, Noboru SUZUKI, Yoshihiro MIYAUCHI, Yasushi FUJIWARA, Tsuneo FUJIWARA, Etsuko Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20110170919
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular fusing film, a heater, a nip member, a backup member, a first supporting member, and a second supporting member. The heater may be disposed inside the tubular shape of the fusing film. The nip member may be disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the inner surface of the fusing film and heated by the heater. The backup member may form a nip portion between the backup member and the fusing film with the fusing film between the backup member and the nip member. The first supporting member may be configured to support the nip member. The second supporting member may be configured to support the heater and movably support the first supporting member so that the nip member moves relative to the backup member and the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasushi FUJIWARA, Noboru SUZUKI, Kei ISHIDA, Yoshihiro MIYAUCHI, Tomohiro KONDO, Tsuneo Fujiwara, Etsuko Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20110170920
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a tubular fusing film, a heater, a nip member, a backup member, a backup member, first supporting member, and a second supporting member. The heater may be disposed inside the tubular shape of the fusing film. The nip member may be disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the inner surface of the fusing film and heated by the heater. The backup member may form a nip portion between the backup member and the fusing film with the fusing film between the backup member and the nip member. The first supporting member may be configured to integrally support the heater and the nip member. The second supporting member may be configured to movably support the first supporting member so that the nip member moves relative to the backup member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasushi FUJIWARA, Noboru SUZUKI, Kei ISHIDA, Yoshihiro MIYAUCHI, Tomohiro KONDO, Tsuneo Fujiwara, Etsuko Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20110164905
    Abstract: A fixing device includes a heating element disposed inside a flexible fusing member, a nip member disposed to contact with a surface of the flexible fusing member and to allow the flexible fusing member to slide along the nip member, a reflecting plate for reflecting radiant heat from the heating element toward the nip member, and a backup member for nipping the flexible fusing member with the nip member. The reflecting plate includes a central reflecting portion extending along a longitudinal direction of the heating element at least in a region corresponding to along a heat generating portion of the heating element, and end reflecting portions stationarily provided on both ends of the central reflecting portion. The end reflecting portions are disposed in positions longitudinally outward of the heat generating portion and each has a reflecting surface tilted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro KONDO, Yasushi FUJIWARA, Kei ISHIDA, Noboru SUZUKI, Takuji MATSUNO, Tsuneo Fujiwara, Etsuko Fujiwara