Patents by Inventor Yu AKAI

Yu AKAI 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: 12282268
    Abstract: A developing roll for use in an image-forming apparatus using electrophotography includes a cylindrical core made of metal; an annular elastic layer made of rubber and arranged around the core; and an annular surface layer arranged around the elastic layer. The surface layer includes a central portion and end portions. The central portion is located at the center of the developing roll in the longitudinal direction, the end portions are located at opposite end portions of the developing roll in the longitudinal direction. A coefficient of kinetic friction of the outer peripheral surface of each end portion of the surface layer is less than or equal to 0.1, and a ten-point average roughness Rz of the outer peripheral surface of each end portion of the surface layer is less than or equal to 1.8 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Oura, Norimasa Hosonuma, Atsushi Ikeda, Yu Akai, Satoshi Fukuoka, Kenji Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20250075787
    Abstract: Provided are a gear and a gear damper that enable noise reduction and offer excellent versatility. A gear includes: a metal gear body; and a damper unit that is provided to cover at least a meshing surface of each of teeth in the gear body and has a surface made of an elastic body. As a result, the gear enables noise reduction and offers excellent versatility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Hirotaka ONO, Yu AKAI, Yutaka ORIOKU
  • Publication number: 20240142890
    Abstract: A developing roll for use in an image-forming apparatus using electrophotography includes a cylindrical core made of metal; an annular elastic layer made of rubber and arranged around the core; and an annular surface layer arranged around the elastic layer. The surface layer includes a central portion and end portions. The central portion is located at the center of the developing roll in the longitudinal direction, the end portions are located at opposite end portions of the developing roll in the longitudinal direction. A coefficient of kinetic friction of the outer peripheral surface of each end portion of the surface layer is less than or equal to 0.1, and a ten-point average roughness Rz of the outer peripheral surface of each end portion of the surface layer is less than or equal to 1.8 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke OURA, Norimasa HOSONUMA, Atsushi IKEDA, Yu AKAI, Satoshi FUKUOKA, Kenji SASAKI