Housing Or Mounting Patents (Class 347/263)
  • Patent number: 11679602
    Abstract: A deposition device is described. The deposition device has a substrate support and a laser imaging system disposed to image a portion of a substrate positioned on the substrate support. The laser imaging system comprises a laser source and an imaging unit, and is coupled to a deposition assembly disposed across the substrate support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Kateeva, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Mathia, Jesse Lu, Jerry Chang, Matt Audet, Stephen Baca, Vadim Mashevsky, David C. Darrow
  • Patent number: 10591867
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an LED print head exposing a photosensitive drum with light; a door arranged on one end side of the LED print head; a support portion for the LED print head operating in conjunction with opening and closing movements of the door, positioning the LED print head at a first position for exposing the photosensitive drum when the door is closed, and positioning the LED print head at a second position more apart from the photosensitive drum than the first position when the door is open; and a guide portion formed on the door and guiding a cleaning member to the LED print head, the guide portion having a first inclined surface which is lowered toward the LED print head so that the cleaning member is continuously held in contact with the LED print head under a state in which the door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventors: Hitoshi Iwai, Shinichiro Hosoi, Takehiro Ishidate
  • Patent number: 10216142
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: a cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a regulation portion; a light emitting device configured to emit light from a light emission surface to the photosensitive drum; and a movement unit configured to reciprocate the light emitting device between an exposure position and a retracted position, wherein the regulation portion regulates a cleaning member, which includes a cleaning portion configured to rub and clean the light emission surface by a sliding movement of the cleaning member on the light emission surface of the light emitting device positioned at the retracted position so as to prevent the cleaning member from contacting the photosensitive drum and so as to bias the cleaning portion to prevent the cleaning portion from being separated from the light emission surface during the sliding movement of the cleaning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichiro Hosoi, Takehiro Ishidate, Hitoshi Iwai
  • Patent number: 9733611
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a shutter spring engaging with a cover at one end while engaging with a shutter at another end, configured to urge the shutter for a closed state from an open state, a buffer plate supported in a rotatable manner, configured to push the shutter for the open state from the closed state, and a buffer spring held between the buffer plate and the shutter, configured to urge the buffer plate in a direction separating from the shutter. In the image forming apparatus, elastic force of the buffer spring is greater than elastic force of the shutter spring, the buffer plate presses the shutter via the buffer spring, and a length of the buffer spring is greater than a solid height of the buffer spring when the shutter is pushed by the buffer plate to be moved to a position of the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Iwai
  • Patent number: 9444958
    Abstract: An image reading device includes a light source arranged below a document table glass and irradiating light to a document on the document table glass, a carriage that holds the light source and is movable in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to a main scanning direction, a photoelectric conversion unit that receives the light irradiated by the light source and reflected from the document, a pair of rail members that extend in the sub-scanning direction while being arranged spaced apart from each other in the main scanning direction and support the carriage so as to be movable in the sub-scanning direction, a rotatable shaft, and an eccentric cam that is fixed to the shaft, has a peripheral surface abutting at least one predetermined place of the pair of rail members, and rotates together with the shaft to displace the predetermined place of the rail members in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Yamasaki, Yoshiyuki Asakawa
  • Patent number: 9268131
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a housing and a cover. An engaging hole is formed in the housing and an engaging piece is formed in the cover. The engaging piece has a first portion following a side wall portion of the housing and a second portion folded so as to face the first portion at an interval. When the engaging piece has been inserted into the engaging hole, the first portion is elastically deformed toward the side wall portion of the housing, and the second portion is elastically deformed toward the first portion and abuts a lower portion of an inner edge of the engaging hole, so that the engaging piece and the engaging hole are engaged with each other and the cover is pressed with respect to the housing by the restoring force of the engaging piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Hiroki Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9207559
    Abstract: A structure in which a shutter is moved in a first direction by a motor, an opening is provided in the shutter, and the shutter is moved in a second direction using an elastic force of a spring connected to an upper cover of a light scanning device and an inside wall at the opening of the shutter increases the size of the structure of the shutter and the structure of the light scanning device due to the position of the spring. Therefore, a recess 218b is provided in an opposing surface 218g of a cover 218 opposing a shutter 300, and a spring 310 for sliding the shutter 300 is connected to a connection portion 218e provided at the recess 218b. The recess 218b is provided at a side opposite to the light source units with a polygon mirror 203 being interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Aruga
  • Patent number: 9188948
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body part and a sheet feed unit installed below the apparatus main body part, which include connector parts electrically connecting the apparatus main body part and sheet feed unit. The connector part at a side of the apparatus main body part includes a window; a first connector main body visible through the window and having an electrical connection port facing to the sheet feed unit; a connector cover covering openably/closably the electrical connection port of the first connector main body; and a biasing member biasing the first connector main body downwardly. The connector part at a side of the sheet feed unit includes a second connector main body positioned below the first connector main body. The first connector main body is pressured downwardly with respect to the connector cover by the biasing member, when the connector cover is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Okauchi
  • Patent number: 9180707
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a supporting stage that supports a recording medium; a recording processing unit, which includes a recording unit that opposes the recording medium that is supported by the supporting stage, and bridges an X axis direction so as to cross the supporting stage; and a Y axis movement unit causes the recording processing unit to move in relation to the supporting stage in a Y axis direction that is perpendicular to the X axis direction and is parallel to a supporting surface of the supporting stage, in which the Y axis movement unit includes a drive mechanism, which causes the recording processing unit to move in the Y axis direction in relation to the supporting stage, and a linear guide mechanism, which is disposed on a rear surface side of the supporting stage, and supports the recording processing unit to be free sliding in the Y axis direction in relation to the supporting stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoichi Onishi
  • Patent number: 9164473
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a dustproof shutter, a lock lever, a shutter lever and an elastic member. The dustproof shutter is openably/closably supported in a case so as to protect an exposure device. The lock lever is configured to lock a cover openably/closably provided in the case, and to be movable in an opening direction of the cover. The shutter lever is provided at a position coming into contact with the lock lever and the dustproof shutter when the cover is closed. The elastic member biases the shutter lever toward the lock lever. The shutter lever moves between a first position to open the dustproof shutter when the cover is locked and a second position to close the dustproof shutter when the cover is unlocked by moving the lock lever in the opening direction of the cover with assistance from a biasing force of the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Iketani
  • Patent number: 9134690
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a photosensitive member; a moving mechanism; a movable member; and a cartridge. The photosensitive member is provided in the main casing. The movable member moves between an inside position in which the movable member is inside the main casing and an outside position in which the movable member is at least partly outside the main casing. The movable member includes: a frame; a protection member; and an exposure member. The protection member is fixed to the frame. The moving mechanism moves the exposure member between an exposing position in which the exposure member exposes the photosensitive member to light and a protected position in which the exposure member is protected by the protection member. The cartridge includes a developer bearing member. The cartridge is supported at the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Kato, Toshio Furukawa
  • Patent number: 9120343
    Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a supporting stage, a recording unit, frame portions that bridge a space to cross the supporting stage and support the recording unit, and a Y axis movement unit that causes the recording unit and the frame portions to move in relation to the stage in the Y axis direction. The frame portions include a horizontal bridging frame that crosses the supporting stage and supports the recording unit, a pair of side frames that support both sides of the horizontal bridging frame in the X axis direction by end portion sides thereof, and a connecting frame that connects base portion sides of the pair of side frames to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9024992
    Abstract: The oscillation element according to the present invention includes a torsion bar mounted on a base, and an oscillating member having a light reflection surface for reflecting light from a light source, which is fixed on the torsion bar protruding from the base. The oscillating member oscillates about a longitudinal axis of the torsion bar with an elastic deformation of the torsion bar, thereby deflecting the light that reflects at the light reflection surface in a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis. The oscillating member has two plates that are joined together so as to sandwich the torsion bar. On joining surfaces of the plates are provided with grooves for receiving the torsion bar, respectively. The plates have a symmetrical shape that the longitudinal axis serves as the axis of symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Denshi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Wakabayashi, Naruki Suzuki, Katsumi Arai, Yaomin Zhou
  • Patent number: 9019332
    Abstract: A cover member to be attached to a housing including a bottom portion and a side wall, the cover member including: a closing surface configured to close an opening surrounded by the side wall; at least three protruding portions protruding from the closing surface so as to be located on an inside of the housing; and a protection portion configured to protect a circuit board fixed to the side wall, the protection portion having: a first opposed portion opposed to the circuit board and provided to stand on the closing surface; a second opposed portion opposed to the circuit board and protruding with respect to the first opposed portion away from the circuit board; and a connecting portion configured to connect the first opposed portion and the second opposed portion, wherein a length of the at least three protruding portions is larger than a length of the first opposed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuaki Otoguro, Takehiro Ishidate
  • Patent number: 9019334
    Abstract: An optical device is provided with an optical unit for forming an optical path of a laser beam, and a housing defining an internal space for accommodating the optical unit. The housing includes a partition for dividing the internal space into a first space and a second space. The optical unit includes a sensor arranged in the first space to detect the laser beam in the second space, a mirror arranged in the second space to define a direction of the optical path, a drive source arranged in the second space to operate the mirror to adjust the direction of the optical path, a power line for supplying power to the drive source, and a signal line for transmitting an output signal of the sensor. The signal line extends in the first space and the power line extends in the second space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Ohnishi, Kousuke Uchida
  • Patent number: 9007409
    Abstract: An optical writing head positioning mechanism includes spacers provided between a latent image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image and an optical writing head for exposing the latent image carrier. The spacers each include at least one carrier contact surface that contacts the latent image carrier and at least one head contact surface that contacts the optical writing head to determine an interval between the latent image carrier and the optical writing head. The latent image carrier is in contact with a cleaning member that cleans a cleaning area on a surface of the latent image carrier. In at least one of the spacers, the at least one carrier contact surface includes plural carrier contact surfaces not disposed on edges of the cleaning area, and one of the edges of the cleaning area is located between two adjacent ones of the plural carrier contact surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nakamura, Tamotsu Ikeda, Yasuhide Matsuno, Minoru Toyoda, Masanari Fujita, Takahiro Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 8982172
    Abstract: The oscillation element according to the present invention includes a torsion bar mounted on a base, and an oscillating member having a light reflection surface for reflecting light from a light source, which is fixed on the torsion bar protruding from the base. The oscillating member oscillates about a longitudinal axis of the torsion bar with an elastic deformation of the torsion bar, thereby deflecting the light that reflects at the light reflection surface in a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis. The oscillating member has two plates that are joined together so as to sandwich the torsion bar. On joining surfaces of the plates are provided with grooves for receiving the torsion bar, respectively. The plates have a symmetrical shape that the longitudinal axis serves as the axis of symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Denshi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Wakabayashi, Naruki Suzuki, Katsumi Arai, Yaomin Zhou
  • Patent number: 8953007
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes a housing and a cover member attached to the housing. A tubular pin attachment portion is installed in a side portion of the housing. A tapping screw pin is inserted into the pin attachment portion when the housing is fastened and fixed to a fastening target with the tapping screw pin. A pin head accommodating portion formed into a tubular shape to extend in a coaxial relationship with the pin attachment portion is installed in a side portion of the cover member. The pin head accommodating portion is configured to accommodate a head portion of the tapping screw pin inserted into the pin attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroki Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8953002
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a photoconductive drum, a line-type LED exposing unit disposed to be opposed to the photoconductive drum, an exposing unit supporting tray configured to support the LED exposing unit to be capable of approaching and separating from the photoconductive drum in a radial direction of the photoconductive drum, an extending piece being formed in a part of an end of the exposing unit supporting tray, and a rod member disposed in parallel to the major axis direction of the LED exposing unit and moved in the major axis direction to thereby cause the LED exposing unit to approach and separate from the photoconductive drum in the radial direction of the photoconductive drum via the extending piece of the exposing unit supporting tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Kodo
  • Patent number: 8928709
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source, an optical part, an enclosure, and a retainer. The light source projects light against a target. The optical part is disposed on a light path between the light source and the target. The enclosure houses the light source and the optical part. The retainer is fixed to the enclosure and includes a plurality of optical part mounts of identical shape and different sizes. The optical part is adhered to one of the plurality of optical part mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Serizawa, Kazunori Watanabe, Hiroshi Johno
  • Patent number: 8916418
    Abstract: A disclosed surface-emitting laser module includes a surface-emitting laser formed on a substrate to emit light perpendicular to its surface, a package including a recess portion in which the substrate having the surface-emitting laser is arranged, and a transparent substrate arranged to cover the recess portion of the package and the substrate having the surface-emitting laser such that the transparent substrate and the package are connected on a light emitting side of the surface-emitting laser. In the surface-emitting laser module, a high reflectance region and a low reflectance region are formed within a region enclosed by an electrode on an upper part of a mesa of the surface-emitting laser, and the transparent substrate is slanted to the surface of the substrate having the surface-emitting laser in a polarization direction of the light emitted from the surface-emitting laser determined by the high reflectance region and the low reflectance region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ishii, Satoru Sugawara, Yoshihiro Ohba, Kazuhiro Harasaka, Shunichi Sato, Kazuhiko Adachi
  • Patent number: 8908001
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a plurality of stations, each of which includes an light source, a deflector (polygon scan), a scanning optical element, and a housing. The light source emits a light beam to a plurality of surfaces to be scanned. The deflector deflects light beams emitted from the light source. The scanning optical element scans the surfaces to be scanned with light spots of the optical beams deflected by the deflector. The housing houses therein the light source, the deflector, and the scanning optical element. The scanning optical element is secured to the housing so that directions of scanning-line curves caused by temperature change match between the surfaces to be scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Taku Amada
  • Patent number: 8908002
    Abstract: An optical scanning device has a light deflector deflecting a light beam from a light source, a synchronization detection sensor determining timing of starting scanning in main scanning direction based on timing of detecting the light beam scanned in main scanning direction by the light deflector, and a pre-sensor imaging optical system imaging the light beam reflected from the light deflector on the synchronization detection sensor. The pre-sensor imaging optical system moves the imaging position of the light beam on the synchronization detection sensor in a direction making the timing of detecting the light beam earlier or later according to whether variation in temperature causes the magnification of the scanning optical system in main scanning direction to increase or decrease respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Yoshida, Chika Sawamoto
  • Patent number: 8902268
    Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus capable of fixing an optical member using a plate spring without forming a die cut hole and thus having high dust-proof performance includes a mirror supporting portion supporting a reflection mirror, and a projecting portion configured to form a gap between the reflection mirror supported on the mirror supporting portion and itself, and to deform the plate spring with the reflection mirror, and the projecting portion is provided with a cut hole for engaging the plate spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuaki Otoguro, Takehiro Ishidate
  • Patent number: 8896650
    Abstract: The calculation unit calculates the time interval between the time at detecting the light beam reflected by the reflective surface of the rotatory polyhedron incident on the BD sensor by the light beam detecting unit and the time at detecting the light beam reflected by the reflective surface incident on the optical sensor in the light source by the return light beam detecting unit. The scan adjusting unit adjusts the luminescence time of the light source for scanning the light beam on the surface to be scanned based on the time interval calculated by the calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Shingo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8896649
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes: a light source unit; a light deflecting unit that deflects a light beam emitted from the light source unit; a scanning optical device that focuses the light beam deflected by the light deflecting unit on a scanned surface; and a light shielding member. The scanning optical device is provided in a direction in which a sound pressure level of a noise caused by rotation of a rotating polygon mirror included in the light deflecting unit is highest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kensuke Masuda, Yukio Itami, Shigeaki Imai
  • Patent number: 8878887
    Abstract: If inclination correction of scanning line is performed while the incident position of the laser beam is not suitable, the shape of a spot of the laser beam which forms an image on a photosensitive drum may not be uniform depending on the scanning position of the laser beam. The housing is provided with a U-shaped groove to which the convex portion of a lens hold member that holds the lens is engaged. With the position of the convex portion adjusted, the convex portion is attached and secured in the U-shaped groove. Thus, the installation position of the lens to an optical path of the laser beam is adjusted, and the lens can be rotated and adjusted in order to correct an inclination or a bending of scanning line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuuta Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8872876
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source, optical deflector, mirror, first photosensitive drum, and second photosensitive drum. The light source emits a first light beam and a second light beam. The optical deflector deflects the first light beam and the second light beam. The mirror has a reflecting part that reflects the deflected first light beam and a passing part that passes the deflected second light beam. The passing part is displaced from the reflecting part. The first photosensitive drum performs a development with a first toner having a first color. The reflected first light beam scans the first photosensitive drum in a main scanning direction. The second photosensitive drum performs a development with a second toner having a second color different from the first color. The passed second light beam scans the second photosensitive drum in the main scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryota Kato, Yasuo Tamaru, Jun Mihara
  • Patent number: 8858107
    Abstract: A device for processing media may include a front panel, a rear panel, a side panel, a support surface, and an access door assembly. The access door assembly may be pivotally coupled to the support surface and may include a major door pivotally coupled to a minor door. The minor door may be movable from an operational position to a minor support position and the major door may be movable from the operational position to a major support position in which the major door is positioned against and supported by the support surface. The side panel may define an imaginary plane that extends upward beyond the support surface and the access door assembly may be sized to be supported on the support surface without crossing the imaginary plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: ZIH Corp.
    Inventor: Mark B. Urban
  • Patent number: 8848014
    Abstract: A polygon mirror assembly, a light scanning unit employing the polygon mirror assembly, and an image forming apparatus. The polygon mirror assembly includes a polygon mirror formed of a plastic material and having a plurality of reflection surfaces; and a motor unit to support and rotate the polygon mirror, where the polygon mirror is coupled to the motor unit by using an adhesive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heon-hee Lim, Jae-hwan Yoo, Jin-kwon Chun, Jong-wuk Ku
  • Patent number: 8836745
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an exposure device including a plurality of light emitting elements, and a holding member configured to hold the exposure device at a mounting portion between first positioning members provided at both longitudinal end portions of the exposure device. In addition, a second positioning member positions the holding member relative to the image bearing member so as to position the exposure device relative to the image bearing member at the mounting portion, a second elastic member urges the holding member toward the image bearing member so as to maintain a positioned state of the second positioning member, and first and second adjusting members adjusts a distance in a direction of an optical axis between the image bearing member and the exposure device at both longitudinal end portions and at the mounting portion of the exposure device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kengo Sato
  • Patent number: 8823764
    Abstract: An optical writer includes a housing, a light source, a deflector, and a plurality of optical elements. The housing includes a plurality of surfaces, one of which includes a substantially flat portion having an opening formed therein and a curved portion curved in the shape of an arc of a circle in cross-section. The light source is enclosed within the housing and projects light through the opening and onto a target. The deflector is enclosed within the housing and deflects the light projected from the light source in a main scanning direction. The plurality of optical elements is enclosed within the housing and directs the light deflected by the deflector onto the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Fujii, Noboru Kusunose, Yoshinobu Sakaue
  • Patent number: 8803936
    Abstract: An optical device includes a surface-emitting laser array having a plurality of light-emitting portions; a package member on which the surface-emitting laser array is disposed; and a transparent member retained on the package member and disposed on an optical path of a light beam emitted by the surface-emitting laser array. The transparent member includes an incident plane on which the light beam emitted by the surface-emitting laser array is incident. The incident plane is inclined with respect to an emitting surface of the surface-emitting laser array at a first inclination angle which is smaller than a second inclination angle at which the light emitted by one of the light-emitting portions is incident on another, most-distant one, of the light-emitting portions via reflection by the transparent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Adachi, Shunichi Sato, Satoru Sugawara, Toshihiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 8791975
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a polygon scanner that deflects and scans light beams, a body on which the polygon scanner directly mounted, and a heat dissipating unit that dissipates heat of the deflection scanning unit. The heat dissipating unit is located at a position on an outer surface of the body corresponding to the deflection scanning unit. The body is provided with a pair of wall portions on the outer surface. The wall portions face each other with the heat dissipating unit between them, and extend in a direction in which air blown by an air blowing unit flows to form an air-flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Yamazaki, Kouji Terasawa
  • Patent number: 8786657
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including: an image bearing member; a latent image forming unit configured to emit a light beam based on image data and to form an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member by the light beam; a placement unit provided in a main body of the image forming apparatus, on which the latent image forming unit is placed; an elastic member disposed between the latent image forming unit and the placement unit; and a pressing unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus and configured to press the latent image forming unit toward the placement unit so that the elastic member is pressed by the latent image forming unit and the placement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daisuke Aruga
  • Patent number: 8780159
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source, an optical element, a deflector, a casing, and a first cover. The deflector deflects the light beam emitted from the light source to scan a photoreceptor through the optical element. The casing includes an upper opening, walls including a transparent plate defining a deflector compartment to accommodate the deflector, and an optical element mounting portion to accommodate the light source and the optical element. The first cover covers the upper opening of the casing and includes a recessed portion recessed toward the bottom of the casing and including a first opening at the bottom thereof facing the deflector. The recessed portion and the walls are directly or indirectly connected to define a single continuous space isolating the deflector compartment from the optical element mounting portion. The recessed portion and the deflector compartment communicate via the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Serizawa, Takeshi Yamakawa, Kazunori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8780158
    Abstract: A housing for the scan unit printhead of an imaging device. The housing is substantially bowl shaped having a plurality of mounting surfaces extending inwardly toward a central region of the housing. The housing is constructed from a metal composition. The scan unit includes a plurality of light sources and an optical assembly operatively coupled thereto. The housing mounting surfaces support components of the optical assembly using an adhesive, without additional mounting hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Lee Hudson, Jason Lee Rowe
  • Patent number: 8760483
    Abstract: In an exposure device, a light source device having multiple light emitting devices arranged in one-dimensional or two-dimensional directions projects light against an image bearing member. A light source holding member holds the light source device in place. An optical device condenses the light projected from the light source device onto the image bearing member. An optical device holding member holds the optical device to maintain a predetermined gap between the optical device and the light source device on the light source holding member. A positioning member supports the light source holding member above the image bearing member to maintain a predetermined gap between the image bearing member and the light source device on the light source holding member. When seen from a light emitting point of the light source device, a position at which the positioning member supports the light source holding member is opposite the image bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Kensuke Masuda
  • Patent number: 8754918
    Abstract: An optical scanner includes a housing, a light source, a polygon mirror, an optical device, and a holder. The housing includes a mounting portion. The light source projects light. The polygon mirror is enclosed within the housing and rotates to deflect the light projected from the light source. The optical device is disposed substantially near the polygon mirror. The holder is disposed within the housing and attached to the housing at the mounting portion, and holds the optical device in place. A distance L1 between a center of rotation of the polygon mirror and the optical device is shorter than a distance L2 between the center of rotation of the polygon mirror and the mounting portion. An image forming apparatus includes the optical scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Johno, Takeshi Yamakawa, Keiichi Serizawa, Kazunori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8755092
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an array substrate in which a plurality of point light sources is mounted along the main scanning direction, a light guide member disposed on a surface of the array substrate that mounts the plurality of point light sources, and guiding light from the plurality of point light sources to the document surface, a frame for fixing the light guide member and the array substrate, a positioning unit that determines the positional relationship of the frame with the light guide member and the array substrate in a configuration in which the incident surface of the light guide member is in proximity to or in contact with the plurality of point light sources; and an image reading unit that uses reflected light when illuminating light from the plurality of point light sources through the light guide member onto the document surface to thereby read the document image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8743170
    Abstract: A housing includes a base portion for installation of an optical beam emission unit, a light guiding unit, and a deflection unit, and a cover portion that includes an indented heat emission channel that transmits heat in an inner portion of the housing to a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Issei Nakano, Nobuhiro Fukuma, Jun Nakai
  • Patent number: 8723902
    Abstract: A polygon motor unit is mounted in a housing and includes a polygon mirror, a polygon motor, a board, a thermally conductive member and an elastic member. The polygon mirror is rotated and deflects light. The polygon motor includes a shaft portion and rotates the polygon mirror. The board includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the polygon mirror and the polygon motor are mounted on the first surface. The thermally conductive member includes a positioning portion for setting a reference position, a third surface facing the second surface and a projection projecting from the third surface toward the second surface and configured to position the board with respect to the reference position by coming into contact with the second surface. The elastic member is made of a thermally conductive material and arranged between the second surface and the third surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8723910
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source, a deflector for deflecting and scanning the beams of light, an imaging optical system, a housing, a synchronization sensor, a circuit board on which the light source and the synchronization sensor are mounted, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism enables an adjustment of an interval between beams of light respectively emitted from the plurality of emission points on a surface to be scanned. The circuit board includes a first part on which the light source is mounted, a second part on which the synchronization sensor is mounted and an intermediate part between the first and second parts. The first part is arranged outside the housing, the second part is arranged inside the housing and the intermediate part passes through a wall surface of the housing. The adjustment mechanism fixes the light source using the housing with the interval adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Chika Sawamoto
  • Patent number: 8698860
    Abstract: An image forming device includes a photoconductive body, an exposure unit configured with a plurality of light emitting elements aligned in a predetermined direction, the exposure unit being adopted to expose the photoconductive body to light emitted by the light emitting elements, a frame configured to support both sides of the exposure unit in the predetermined direction, the frame having a reference portion configured to position the exposure unit in the predetermined direction in contact with an end of the exposure unit in the predetermined direction, and a pressing member provided to one of the frame and the exposure unit, the pressing member being configured to press the end of the exposure unit against the reference portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Sugiyama, Junichi Yokoi
  • Patent number: 8699092
    Abstract: An optical component mounting structure includes an elastic member and a mounting portion. The elastic member applies pressure to an optical component toward a flat surface portion of a base. The mounting portion is provided at the base and mounts the elastic member. The elastic member has a pressing portion, a holding portion, and a positioning hole. The pressing portion has a tongue piece shape and elastically comes in contact with a light guide member. The holding portion supports one end of the pressing portion and holds elastically the mounting portion of the base. The positioning hole is formed through the holding portion and is to be engaged with each of a pair of positioning convex portions provided at the mounting portion of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Yamasaki, Hideto Miyanagi
  • Publication number: 20140092197
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, which includes a displacement member disposed at a cartridge and configured to move from a position where the displacement member receives a driving force from an apparatus main body to a position where the displacement member does not receive the driving force, a movable member disposed at the apparatus main body, the movable member moving in response to movement of the displacement member, so as to move a first electrode between a position where the first electrode contacts a second electrode and a position where the first electrode is spaced apart from the second electrode, and a detector detecting information about the cartridge attached to the apparatus main body based on a conduction state between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yosuke Aoi
  • Patent number: 8687035
    Abstract: An optical scanning device includes an air-tight casing, an air-tight container and a tube-like member. The air-tight casing is configured to accommodate at least a polygon mirror and a driving unit that rotates the polygon mirror. The air-tight container is disposed at a distance from the air-tight casing and outside an outer wall surface vertically above the air-tight casing. The tube-like member is configured to communicatively connect an inside of the air-tight casing and an inside of the air-tight container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Kondoh
  • Patent number: 8687030
    Abstract: There is provided an exposing device which includes an elongated optical head in which a plurality of light emitting portions are arranged, and a supporting member to which the optical head is adhered. The optical head and the supporting member are adhered by a first adhesive, and a second adhesive of which a modulus of elasticity after curing is lower than that of the first adhesive. The second adhesive is applied in a second adhesive area which is located at a boundary between the optical head and the supporting member and which is longer, in a longitudinal direction of the optical head, than a first adhesive area which is located at the boundary and to which the first adhesive is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taizo Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8681196
    Abstract: A scanning exposure device includes: a reflecting member that reflects a light irradiated by an irradiating unit; a housing that has a bottom, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an aperture opening in a direction of a light reflected by the reflecting member; a cover that covers the aperture, forms a passing portion that allows the light reflected by the reflecting member to pass through, and provides a first fixed position at which the housing is fixed on the first sidewall and a second fixed position, paired with the first fixed position, at which the housing is fixed on the second sidewall, wherein the first fixed position and the second fixed position are arranged such that the main scanning direction passes between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Sugizaki
  • Patent number: 8675035
    Abstract: An optical scanning unit may include a light source unit configured to emit a light beam, an optical housing configured to receive and support the light source unit, an optical device configured to deflect the light beam and to focus the light beam on a light receiving member, and a fixing member configured to fix the light source unit to the optical housing by applying pressure to the light source unit, wherein the pressure is applied in a direction, which is substantially perpendicular to an optical axis direction of the light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Yamakawa, Hiroshi Yoshizawa, Katsunori Shoji