Patents by Inventor Yuichiro Inaba

Yuichiro Inaba 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: 12223102
    Abstract: A remote work support system includes a wearable device worn by a site worker, a mobile terminal carried by the site worker separately from the wearable device, and a support operator terminal used by a support operator who remotely supports the site worker. The wearable device includes an image capturing unit, a voice input unit, and a voice output unit. The wearable device transmits an image. The wearable device transmits and receives voice. The mobile terminal includes a display unit to display a received image. The support operator terminal includes a voice input unit, a voice output unit, and a display unit. The support operator terminal transmits and receive voice to and from the wearable device. The support operator terminal receives an image from the wearable device. The support operator terminal transmits an image to the mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignees: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD., FAIRY DEVICES INC.
    Inventors: Yuuko Kuroda, Ashish Busi, Yoshinao Inaba, Taro Kataoka, Masato Fujino, Yuichiro Takezaki
  • Publication number: 20250036067
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing configured to accommodate an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material, a discharge unit configured to discharge the recording material to the outside of the housing, and a motor disposed inside of the housing and configured to drive the image forming unit. The housing includes a stacking unit on which the recording material discharged by the discharge unit is stacked and a wall surface provided at an end of the stacking unit in a width direction that is perpendicular to a vertical direction and a discharge direction of the discharge unit, and the wall surface extends upward beyond the stacking unit. The motor is disposed at a position that overlaps the wall surface as viewed in the width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: AKIRA YOSHIMURA, SHIGERU HOASHI, YUICHIRO INABA, MASATOSHI TAKIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 12210312
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container having an accommodating portion to accommodate developer, and a replenishment port for replenishing the accommodating portion with developer from an attachable replenishment container. A transfer portion transfers the developer image on an image bearing member onto a recording material, a supporting tray supports the recording material, and a discharge portion discharges the recording material on the supporting surface. The supporting tray has an opening portion opening with the replenishment port being exposed through the supporting surface, wherein an opening/closing member is movable between a closed position where it covers the replenishment port and serves as a part of the supporting surface and an open position where the replenishment port is exposed. Movement of the opening/closing member to the closed position is hindered by the replenishment container in a state it is attached to the developer container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomio Noguchi, Masaaki Sato, Kenji Matsuzaka, Koji Fujinaka, Takao Sameshima, Akitoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida
  • Publication number: 20240427281
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable, the developer container including an accommodating portion, and a supporting portion, wherein the developer container includes a projection portion that is provided at one end portion thereof in the rotation axis direction of the developer bearing member and projects toward the supporting portion more than a center portion of the developer container in a crossing direction crossing the rotation axis direction, the projection portion communicates with the accommodating portion and includes, at a distal end portion thereof, an attachment portion configured such that the replenishment container is attachable thereto in a state of being exposed to the outside of the apparatus, and a replenishment port for replenishing the accommodating portion with developer from the replenishment container is defined in the attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Hiroshi Takarada, Kenji Matsuzaka, Takao Sameshima, Tomio Noguchi, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Masaaki Sato
  • Patent number: 12147173
    Abstract: A transfer unit transferring a developer image onto a transfer medium includes: (1) an image bearing member on which the developer image is formed; (2) a cleaning member provided to extend in a width direction of the image bearing member to abut thereagainst, and remove developer on the image bearing member; and (3) a seal member that prevents the developer removed by the cleaning member from leaking outside the transfer unit. The seal member opposes a tip portion of the cleaning member. In the transfer unit, a first unit is provided with the image bearing and cleaning members, and a second unit is provided with the seal member and can engage with the first unit. The second unit engages with the first unit so that the seal member abuts against the cleaning and image bearing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichiro Inaba, Norihiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 12111601
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable, the developer container including an accommodating portion, and a supporting portion, wherein the developer container includes a projection portion that is provided at one end portion thereof in the rotation axis direction of the developer bearing member and projects toward the supporting portion more than a center portion of the developer container in a crossing direction crossing the rotation axis direction, the projection portion communicates with the accommodating portion and includes, at a distal end portion thereof, an attachment portion configured such that the replenishment container is attachable thereto in a state of being exposed to the outside of the apparatus, and a replenishment port for replenishing the accommodating portion with developer from the replenishment container is defined in the attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Hiroshi Takarada, Kenji Matsuzaka, Takao Sameshima, Tomio Noguchi, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Masaaki Sato
  • Publication number: 20240295851
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame having a side surface at a side of the process cartridge. A photosensitive drum is supported by the frame, the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive drum including a first end positioned at the side of the process cartridge and a second end opposite to the first end in a direction of the axis of the photosensitive drum. A projection is positioned coaxial with the photosensitive drum and at the side of the process cartridge, with the projection projecting from the side surface of the frame in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum with at least a tip of the projection being exposed to outside of the process cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20240210873
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container having an accommodating portion to accommodate developer, and a replenishment port for replenishing the accommodating portion with developer from an attachable replenishment container. A transfer portion transfers the developer image on an image bearing member onto a recording material, a supporting tray supports the recording material, and a discharge portion discharges the recording material on the supporting surface. The supporting tray has an opening portion opening with the replenishment port being exposed through the supporting surface, wherein an opening/closing member is movable between a closed position where it covers the replenishment port and serves as a part of the supporting surface and an open position where the replenishment port is exposed. Movement of the opening/closing member to the closed position is hindered by the replenishment container in a state it is attached to the developer container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2024
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Tomio Noguchi, Masaaki Sato, Kenji Matsuzaka, Koji Fujinaka, Takao Sameshima, Akitoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida
  • Patent number: 12019392
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame and a photosensitive drum supported by the frame, with the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum such that a driving force can be transferred from the coupling to the photosensitive drum. A developing roller is supported by the frame, with the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof. A gear is positioned at a side of the process cartridge, with the gear being rotatable about an axis thereof. The gear has a plurality of teeth, with at least some of the teeth being exposed teeth that are uncovered by the frame and exposed to outside of the process cartridge, and with a tip of at least one of the exposed teeth facing the axis of the photosensitive drum. As measured in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the teeth of the gear are shorter than the projection of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Patent number: 11947305
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion and a replenishment port, a transfer portion configured to transfer a developer image on an image bearing member onto a recording material, a supporting tray including a supporting surface configured to support the recording material thereon, and a discharge portion configured to discharge the recording material, onto which the developer image has been transferred, on the supporting surface, wherein the supporting surface has an opening portion opening such that the replenishment port is exposed through the supporting surface, and wherein an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position where the opening/closing member covers the replenishment port and serves as a part of the supporting surface and an open position where the replenishment port is exposed is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomio Noguchi, Masaaki Sato, Kenji Matsuzaka, Koji Fujinaka, Takao Sameshima, Akitoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida
  • Patent number: 11921444
    Abstract: A belt unit, for use in an image forming apparatus, includes an endless belt that moves in a movement direction, a transfer member, a collecting member, a storage container, and a conveyance member. The conveyance member conveys toner in a conveyance direction, rotates about a rotational axis extending in a rotational axis direction, includes a shaft and a conveyance portion provided on a shaft outer surface, and has a helical shape having a helical axis extending in the rotational axis direction. The conveyance member further includes a protruding portion protruding from the shaft outer surface in a direction crossing the conveyance member rotational axis, which has a shape different from the helical shape, and which is provided on a shaft portion downstream of the conveyance portion in the conveyance direction. The rotational axis direction is a direction crossing both the endless belt movement direction and a transfer member longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiro Matsumoto, Yuichiro Inaba, Akinori Mitsumata
  • Publication number: 20240036497
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion that accommodates developer and a replenishment port, an agitation member, an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position, a drive source for driving the agitation member, and a control portion configured to control the drive source. The apparatus is configured such that image formation is not possible when the opening/closing member is at the open position, and the agitation member is capable of driving in a case where the opening/closing member is at the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Hiroshi Takarada, Koji Fujinaka, Akitoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Susumu Nittani
  • Patent number: 11809095
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable and which includes an accommodating portion that accommodates developer and a replenishment port, an agitation member, an opening/closing member configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position, a drive source for driving the agitation member, and a control portion configured to control the drive source. The apparatus is configured such that image formation is not possible when the opening/closing member is at the open position, and the agitation member is capable of driving in a case where the opening/closing member is at the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Hiroshi Takarada, Koji Fujinaka, Akitoshi Toyota, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Susumu Nittani
  • Patent number: 11803153
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum supported by the frame. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum such that a driving force can be transferred from the coupling to the photosensitive drum, and a developing roller is supported by the frame. A first gear is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum and the developing roller such that the driving force can be transmitted from the coupling to the developing roller. A second gear is positioned at a side of the process cartridge, with the second gear having a plurality of teeth, with at least some of the teeth being exposed teeth that are uncovered by the frame and exposed to outside of the process cartridge, and with a tip of at least one of the exposed teeth facing an axis of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20230333511
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame and a photosensitive drum supported by the frame, with the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum such that a driving force can be transferred from the coupling to the photosensitive drum. A developing roller is supported by the frame, with the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof. A gear is positioned at a side of the process cartridge, with the gear being rotatable about an axis thereof. The gear has a plurality of teeth, with at least some of the teeth being exposed teeth that are uncovered by the frame and exposed to outside of the process cartridge, and with a tip of at least one of the exposed teeth facing the axis of the photosensitive drum. As measured in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, the teeth of the gear are shorter than the projection of the coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Patent number: 11774905
    Abstract: A driving-force transmission member includes a coupling portion that includes a driving-force transmission surface and that transmits a driving force to a cartridge coupling, a first helical gear portion that engages with a driven gear of a cartridge to transmit the driving force, and a second helical gear portion that engages with a drive gear to receive the driving force. The portions rotate integrally with each other when the driving-force transmission member rotates about the axis of rotation. The driving-force transmission surface is shaped with a twist in the same direction as the driving-force transmission member. Helical teeth of the first helical gear portion are shaped with a twist in the same direction as the driving-force transmission surface. Helical teeth of the second helical gear portion are shaped with a twist in a direction opposite to the twist direction of the helical teeth of the first helical gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichiro Inaba, Tetsuji Suzuki, Yoshihiro Ito, Ryuta Murakami
  • Publication number: 20230288844
    Abstract: A transfer unit transferring a developer image onto a transfer medium includes: an image bearing member on which the developer image is formed; a cleaning member provided to extend in a width direction of the image bearing member to abut against the image bearing member, and remove a developer on the image bearing member; and a seal member that prevents the developer removed by the cleaning member from leaking outside the transfer unit, the seal member is opposed to a tip portion of the cleaning member, the transfer unit further including a first unit provided with the image bearing member and the cleaning member, and a second unit that is provided with the seal member and can engage with the first unit, wherein the second unit engages with the first unit so that the seal member abuts against the cleaning member and the image bearing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: YUICHIRO INABA, NORIHIRO MATSUMOTO
  • Patent number: 11720055
    Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame, a photosensitive drum supported by the frame, and a developing roller supported by the frame. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being rotatable about an axis thereof, and with the coupling being positioned (i) at a first end of the photosensitive drum, (ii) coaxial with the photosensitive drum, and (iii) at a side of the process cartridge. A helical gear is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof, the helical gear having a plurality of teeth, with at least some of the teeth being exposed teeth that are uncovered by the frame and exposed to outside of the process cartridge. As measured in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, at least a part of the exposed teeth of the helical gear is positioned farther from the second end of the photosensitive drum than a tip of a projection of the coupling is positioned from the second end of the photosensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20230195032
    Abstract: To provide a structure for the process cartridge for receiving input of driving force from outside thereof. The main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a driving output member provided with an output gear portion and an output coupling portion. The process cartridge that can be mounted to and dismounted from the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, an input coupling portion provided at the end of the photosensitive member and capable of coupling with the output coupling portion, and an input gear portion capable of meshing with the output gear portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Ryuta Murakami, Tadashi Horikawa, Shunsuke Uratani, Yuichiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20230134527
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer container to and from which a replenishment container is attachable and detachable, the developer container including an accommodating portion, and a supporting portion, wherein the developer container includes a projection portion that is provided at one end portion thereof in the rotation axis direction of the developer bearing member and projects toward the supporting portion more than a center portion of the developer container in a crossing direction crossing the rotation axis direction, the projection portion communicates with the accommodating portion and includes, at a distal end portion thereof, an attachment portion configured such that the replenishment container is attachable thereto in a state of being exposed to the outside of the apparatus, and a replenishment port for replenishing the accommodating portion with developer from the replenishment container is defined in the attachment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Koji Wada, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Hiroshi Takarada, Kenji Matsuzaka, Takao Sameshima, Tomio Noguchi, Yuichiro Inaba, Kenichi Iida, Masaaki Sato