Patents by Inventor Yoshiteru Kikuchi
Yoshiteru Kikuchi 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: 10556557Abstract: A moving object includes a box-shaped accommodation unit provided on an outer surface of an automobile body, and moves on a road surface. The accommodation unit detachably accommodates a detection device that detects suspended matters or radiation in the air nearby the automobile body.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yoshiteru Kikuchi
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Publication number: 20180093624Abstract: A moving object includes a box-shaped accommodation unit provided on an outer surface of an automobile body, and moves on a road surface. The accommodation unit detachably accommodates a detection device that detects suspended matters or radiation in the air nearby the automobile body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventor: YOSHITERU KIKUCHI
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Publication number: 20180067210Abstract: An autonomous traveling apparatus includes a detecting device that is provided with a plurality of optical detecting units each of which detects a detection target object by using light. At least two optical detecting units out of the plurality of optical detecting units are arranged in a vertical direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Kazuhiro MATSUYAMA, Yoshiteru KIKUCHI, Kazuhisa YONEDA
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Patent number: 9403650Abstract: In a sheet feeding device, when a leading end of a recording sheet is guided to a nip region along a leading end portion of a sheet guide member in contact with a surface of a separation roller, the leading end of the recording sheet slides and moves on surfaces of projected end portions to be guided to the vicinity of the nip region, and the leading end of the recording sheet passes through the nip region quickly. Hence, a sheet feed error is much less likely to occur. Since a distance from recessed end portions to the nip region is longer and the leading end of the recording sheet is in contact with the separation roller for a longer time right after passing the recessed end portions until reaching the nip region, even though a plurality of recording sheets is stacked, the recording sheets are separated one by one by the separation roller, preventing a multi-sheet feed of the sheets.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2015Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norichika Katsura, Yasuaki Fukada, Yoshiyuki Kobayashi, Yoshiteru Kikuchi
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Publication number: 20150210490Abstract: In a sheet feeding device, when a leading end of a recording sheet is guided to a nip region along a leading end portion of a sheet guide member in contact with a surface of a separation roller, the leading end of the recording sheet slides and moves on surfaces of projected end portions to be guided to the vicinity of the nip region, and the leading end of the recording sheet passes through the nip region quickly. Hence, a sheet feed error is much less likely to occur. Since a distance from recessed end portions to the nip region is longer and the leading end of the recording sheet is in contact with the separation roller for a longer time right after passing the recessed end portions until reaching the nip region, even though a plurality of recording sheets is stacked, the recording sheets are separated one by one by the separation roller, preventing a multi-sheet feed of the sheets.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Norichika KATSURA, Yasuaki FUKADA, Yoshiyuki KOBAYASHI, Yoshiteru KIKUCHI
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Patent number: 8950747Abstract: A recording paper conveying device includes a registration roller pair and a conveyor roller pair adjacent to the registration roller pair. By rotating the conveyor roller pair, a sheet of recording paper is fed until leading edge of the sheet abuts the registration roller pair in stationary state so that the sheet is deflected by a prescribed amount. Then, conveyor roller pair is rotated at the constant velocity, and while the sheet is kept deflected, rotation of the registration roller pair is started, to start feeding of the sheet by the registration roller pair. While the registration roller pair is kept rotating, rotation of the conveyor roller pair is suspended, and then, the conveyor roller pair is returned to the state of rotation before suspension. Thus, unnecessary deflection of the sheet just in front of the registration roller pair can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiteru Kikuchi, Kohji Aoki, Shinichi Azumi, Norichika Katsura, Yoshinori Shiraishi
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Publication number: 20150010322Abstract: In one embodiment, an image forming apparatus (100) is provided with a resin frame (300) made of resin and an image forming unit (200). The image forming apparatus further includes a first duct (410) that allows air to flow on one side of the image forming unit (200), a second duct (420) that allows air to flow on the other side, and a third duct (430) that allows air to flow between the first duct and the second duct. The resin frame (300) has a first duct portion (311) that constitutes at least a portion of the first duct (410), and a second duct portion (321) that constitutes at least a portion of the second duct (420).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Shinji NAKAZAWA, Shinichi TAKEDA, Norio TOMITA, Kohichi YAMAUCHI, Noriaki TAGUCHI, Yoshiteru KIKUCHI
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Patent number: 8873994Abstract: In one embodiment, an image forming apparatus (100) is provided with a resin frame (300) made of resin and an image forming unit (200). The image forming apparatus further includes a first duct (410) that allows air to flow on one side of the image forming unit (200), a second duct (420) that allows air to flow on the other side, and a third duct (430) that allows air to flow between the first duct and the second duct. The resin frame (300) has a first duct portion (311) that constitutes at least a portion of the first duct (410), and a second duct portion (321) that constitutes at least a portion of the second duct (420).Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Nakazawa, Shinichi Takeda, Norio Tomita, Kohichi Yamauchi, Noriaki Taguchi, Yoshiteru Kikuchi
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Patent number: 8506037Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: an output image forming section for forming an image and a pattern on a supporting medium under a prescribed condition; an output section for transferring the formed image on a recording sheet; a correction section for performing reading of the formed pattern and correcting the condition based on a result of the reading; and a correction control section for controlling operations of the output image forming section, the output section, and the correction section, wherein the correction control section identifies whether or not an area where the image is to be formed and an area where the pattern is to be formed overlap each other, and when the areas are identified that they do not overlap each other, the correction control section controls the output image forming section to simultaneously form the image and the pattern in parallel on the supporting medium.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshikazu Harada, Norio Tomita, Tetsushi Ito, Showtaro Okamoto, Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Yoshiteru Kikuchi
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Patent number: 8452209Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a computing unit computes phase shift amounts A(i) for every correction relative phase angle ?(j) based on an amplitude B of a reference compressional wave ?a, an amplitude C(i) of a detection compressional wave ?(i), and a relative phase angle ?(i). A setting unit specifies the phase shift amounts A(i), and sets a correction relative phase angle ?(j) corresponding to the specified phase shift amounts A(i). A correction unit corrects, based on the correction relative phase angle ?(j) set by the setting unit, a relative phase shift between a periodic variation in the circumferential speed of a first image bearing member and a periodic variation in the circumferential speed of a second group image bearing member by operationally controlling at least one of first and second drive units.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norio Tomita, Yoshikazu Harada, Yoshiteru Kikuchi, Kohichi Yamauchi
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Patent number: 8339669Abstract: An LD switch is turned ON to output image data outputted from an image processing section to a laser diode, and to irradiate a laser light to a photosensitive drum. The number of pixel dots included in the image data outputted from the image processing section is computed by line basis to detect an image density based on the total sum of the pixel dots of each color at a timing when the image data of Nth line is outputted from the image processing section. The detected image density is compared with a threshold value to turn OFF the LD switch at a timing when the image data of (N+?)th line is outputted when the image density is greater than the threshold value. This suppresses a variation in a rear-end-void length due to sheet slippage.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norio Tomita, Yoshikazu Harada, Tetsushi Ito, Yoshiteru Kikuchi
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Patent number: 8095040Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt that primarily transfers a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum; a secondary transfer unit including a transfer mechanism portion that secondarily transfers the primarily transferred toner image to a paper; an optical sensor that detects a reference toner image on the transfer belt; and a shutter that protects a detection face of the optical sensor, wherein a separation/contact mechanism portion disposed so as to be brought into contact with both of the shutter and the secondary transfer unit is provided, and the separation/contact mechanism portion allows the shutter to move so as to open and allows the secondary transfer unit to move so as to separate from the transfer belt when the reference toner image is detected by the optical sensor, and allows the shutter to move so as to separate from the transfer belt when the secondary transfer unit is drawn out from an apparatus main body.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norio Tomita, Hiroshi Tachiki, Takahiko Yoshida, Yoshikazu Harada, Yoshiteru Kikuchi, Kenichi Isomi
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Patent number: 8090296Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus that includes couplings for photoreceptor drums, couplings for waste toner transporting screws, and couplings for developing rollers, that transmit driving force to each of a plurality of driving shafts for driving a process portion that performs image formation by an electrophotographic method, and a plurality of coupling attaching/detaching members for attaching/detaching the plurality of coupling members, so as to drive the process portion. In the image forming apparatus, the plurality of coupling attaching/detaching members are provided so as to be movable independently, and the image forming apparatus includes a coupling attaching/detaching member driving mechanism that operates the coupling attaching/detaching members in association with each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tetsushi Ito, Yoshiteru Kikuchi, Yoshikazu Harada, Norio Tomita
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Publication number: 20110280609Abstract: In one embodiment, an image forming apparatus (100) is provided with a resin frame (300) made of resin and an image forming unit (200). The image forming apparatus further includes a first duct (410) that allows air to flow on one side of the image forming unit (200), a second duct (420) that allows air to flow on the other side, and a third duct (430) that allows air to flow between the first duct and the second duct. The resin frame (300) has a first duct portion (311) that constitutes at least a portion of the first duct (410), and a second duct portion (321) that constitutes at least a portion of the second duct (420).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Inventors: Shinji NAKAZAWA, Shinichi Takeda, Norio Tomita, Kohichi Yamauchi, Noriaki Taguchi, Yoshiteru Kikuchi
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Patent number: 8055145Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller for detecting the opening and closing of a shutter from the output from an optical sensor and controlling the opening and closing operation of the shutter based on the detected result. The controller determines that if the optical sensor is turned “ON” within a predetermined period of time from when the shutter begins opening, the operation of the shutter from the closed state to the open state is correctly detected. When no reflected light is detected by the optical sensor even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the controller determines that an anomaly has occurred and closes the shutter and repeat another detecting process.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norio Tomita, Yoshikazu Harada, Tetsushi Ito, Noriaki Taguchi, Yoshiteru Kikuchi, Kenichi Isomi
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Publication number: 20110170886Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a computing unit computes phase shift amounts A(i) for every correction relative phase angle ?(j) based on an amplitude B of a reference compressional wave ?a, an amplitude C(i) of a detection compressional wave ?(i), and a relative phase angle ?(i). A setting unit specifies the phase shift amounts A(i), and sets a correction relative phase angle ?(j) corresponding to the specified phase shift amounts A(i). A correction unit corrects, based on the correction relative phase angle ?(j) set by the setting unit, a relative phase shift between a periodic variation in the circumferential speed of a first image bearing member and a periodic variation in the circumferential speed of a second group image bearing member by operationally controlling at least one of first and second drive units.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventors: Norio TOMITA, Yoshikazu Harada, Yoshiteru Kikuchi, Kohichi Yamauchi
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Patent number: 7929891Abstract: An image forming apparatus include: a plurality of photosensitive drums; a latent image forming unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on each photosensitive drum; a developing unit for developing each electrostatic latent image; a transferring unit for superimposing and transferring the developed images onto a moving record medium; a measurement unit for measuring positions of the transferred images on the record medium; and a control unit for controlling the photosensitive drums, the latent image forming unit, the developing unit, and the transferring unit. The control unit includes: a calculating unit for calculating a value related to alignment errors in the positions measured by said measurement unit in accordance with a sine-curve fitting method; and a correcting unit for correcting the alignment errors by the calculated value.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2009Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norio Tomita, Yoshiteru Kikuchi, Kenichi Isomi, Yoshikazu Harada, Tetsushi Ito
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Patent number: 7865119Abstract: A color registration method in a color image forming apparatus including a plurality of drum-type photoconductors for driving some or all of the photoconductors having the same diameter to match pitch fluctuations which correspond to a rotational cycle of the photoconductors, the method including: a first measurement step for forming a first registration image for each color and measuring formation positions of a plurality of predetermined portions in each registration image; a second measurement step for forming a second registration image for each color and measuring formation positions of a plurality of predetermined portions in each registration image; a calculation step for calculating a periodic fluctuation component being contained in the images in different colors and corresponding to the rotational cycle of the photoconductors so as to obtain phases thereof; and a step for adjusting a rotational phase of the photoconductors in order for the obtained phases matching to each other, wherein the intervalType: GrantFiled: April 12, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kengo Matsuyama, Yoshikazu Harada, Norio Tomita, Yoshiteru Kikuchi, Hirokazu Fujita
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Patent number: 7809309Abstract: It is an object to prevent distortions and deviations of images caused by the eccentricity of a driven gear mounted to a rotational shaft of a photosensitive drum. There are provided a driving gear which is secured to a rotational shaft of a rotational driving power source and is rotated at a constant peripheral speed, a driven gear secured coaxially to a rotational shaft of a cylindrical-shaped photosensitive member, a phase control gear having the same diameter as that of the driven gear and having the same rotational speed variation characteristic as that of the driven gear, and a transmission gear, and a driving force from the driving gear is transmitted to the driven gear through the phase control gear and the transmission gear.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2008Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norio Tomita, Yoshikazu Harada, Tetsushi Ito, Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Yoshiteru Kikuchi, Kenichi Isomi, Showtaro Okamoto
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Patent number: 7706705Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: image forming sections, each image forming section forming an image of a color component among plural color components under a predetermined condition, and forming a pattern of each color component for adjusting the condition; a detecting section that reads the formed patterns so as to perform a temporary detection and a main detection of a deviation from a reference under the condition; and a correction control section that determines whether the deviation of the temporary detection exceeds a predetermined threshold value or not, and when the deviation exceeds the threshold value, executes the main detection to fully detect the deviation so as to correct the condition, wherein the correction control section controls to form the pattern for the temporary detection, the number of the color components for the temporary detection being fewer than those of the patterns to be used for the main detection.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norio Tomita, Yoshikazu Harada, Tetsushi Ito, Showtaro Okamoto, Tetsuya Yamaguchi, Yoshiteru Kikuchi