Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090169234 | Photosensitive Cartridge - A photosensitive cartridge includes a housing comprising an opening; a photosensitive drum supported by the housing, an electrostatic latent image being formed on the photosensitive drum; a charger that is supported by the housing and charges the photosensitive drum; a cleaning member that is supported by the housing and catches foreign substances from the photosensitive drum; and a cover that is exposed through the opening so as to be flush with an outer surface of the housing at a periphery of the opening, and catches foreign substances from the cleaning member. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169235 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus body including a driving force transmitting portion and a process cartridge. The process cartridge includes a housing, a photosensitive drum disposed in the housing, a first bearing rotatably supporting an axial end portion of the photosensitive drum, a driving force input portion, which is provided on the axial end portion of the photosensitive drum and is configured to engage the driving force transmitting portion in order to drive the photosensitive drum by a driving force transmitted from the driving force transmitting portion when the driving force transmitting portion is pressed against the driving force input portion, and a second bearing, which rotatably supports the other axial end of the photosensitive drum, and which comprises a first contact portion which contacts the image forming apparatus body when the driving force transmitting portion is pressed against the driving force input portion. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169253 | Image Forming Apparatus and Process Cartridge - The image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a drum drive input member; a developing cartridge configured to be movably mounted to the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge comprising a developing roller disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum and a developing drive input member; a drum drive transmission member configured to engage with the drum drive input member and configured to transmit drum driving force to the drum drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the drum drive input member within a predetermined range; and a developing drive transmission member configured to engage with the developing drive input member and configured to transmit developing driving force to the developing drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the developing drive input member within a predetermined range. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169256 | Process Cartridge, Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - A process cartridge, which includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus including a driving force output part and a feeding part, is provided. The developing cartridge includes a developer carrier, a first electrode provided at one side thereof, and a driving force receiving part provided at another side thereof and aligned with the first electrode such that the driving force receiving part overlaps the first electrode in a side view. The photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted, includes a photosensitive member, and a second electrode that contacts the first electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge and that contacts the feeding part when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The first electrode is pressed toward the driving force receiving part by contact with the second electrode. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169257 | Process Cartridge, Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - A process cartridge includes a developing cartridge including a developer carrier, a fitting part, and a pressed part, and a photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted. The photosensitive cartridge includes a photosensitive member, a positioning part which is fitted into the fitting part for positioning the developing cartridge, and a pressing part which contacts the pressed part for pressing the developing cartridge toward the photosensitive member, wherein the positioning part and the pressing part are provided longitudinally in an area in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive member corresponding to an area on the photosensitive member in which a developer image is formed. | 07-02-2009 |
20090169258 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive members which are aligned along a conveying direction of a transfer medium and on each of which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed; a plurality of developing units which supply a plurality of colors of developing agent to the photosensitive members, respectively; and a plurality of cleaning rollers which slidably contact the photosensitive members to collect at least one of paper powder and developing agent adhering to surfaces of the photosensitive members, respectively. A most upstream cleaning roller which slidably contacts a most upstream photosensitive member in the conveying direction is provided with a paper powder absorption shaft which attracts and absorbs paper powder from the cleaning roller. A most downstream cleaning roller which slidably contacts a most downstream photosensitive member in the conveying direction is not provided with the paper powder absorption shaft. | 07-02-2009 |
20090175652 | Image Forming Apparatus and Process Cartridge - An image forming apparatus is provided. An image forming apparatus includes: a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum; a developing cartridge configured to be movably attached to the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge having: a developing roller; a bearing member; and a developing drive input member; and a spacing member for pressing against a predetermined portion of the developing cartridge and moving the developing cartridge such that the developing roller is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum, wherein the drum cartridge has an abutment portion with which the bearing member is brought into abutment, and wherein a straight line which connects the abutment portion with a center of a rotational axis of the developing drive input member extends substantially in the same direction as a connecting or disconnecting direction of the developing roller to or from the photosensitive drum. | 07-09-2009 |
20090175653 | Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A process cartridge is provided. The process cartridge configured to be mounted in an apparatus main body along a predetermined mounting direction, the process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum drive input member into which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum is inputted; and a frame which holds the photosensitive drum and the drum drive input member; the frame comprising: a substantially cylindrical first protecting member which is formed on the frame, the first protecting member configured to accommodate the drum drive input member, the first protecting member projecting in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, wherein a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at a downstream side in the mounting direction is smaller than a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at an upstream side in the mounting direction. | 07-09-2009 |
20100080616 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE - An image forming apparatus includes: a rotatable photosensitive member; an exposure member, which includes a plurality of blinking units arranged in an axial direction of the photosensitive member, and which exposes the photosensitive member; a pair of spacing members that holds a space between the photosensitive member and the exposure member by being in contact with the photosensitive member; and a pair of cleaning members that slidably contacts with the photosensitive member to remove extraneous matter from the photosensitive member. The pair of spacing members and the pair of cleaning members are disposed at corresponding positions in the axial direction of the photosensitive member. | 04-01-2010 |
20100080635 | PHOTOSENSITIVE CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A photosensitive cartridge includes a frame; a photosensitive drum; a drum gear; a cleaning roller; and a cleaning gear, which is provided at one end portion of the cleaning roller, which meshes with the drum gear, and which rotates integrally with the cleaning roller by a force from the drum gear. The cleaning roller is swingable around a swing axis extending parallel to a rotation axis of the cleaning roller. The swing axis is provided at a side that is opposite to the photosensitive drum with respect to a straight line extending in an input direction of a force from a tooth surface of the drum gear through a meshing position between the cleaning gear and the drum gear. The frame includes a restricting face, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the input direction, and which restricts movement of the cleaning gear in the input direction. | 04-01-2010 |
20100278571 | Photosensitive Unit and Tandem Photosensitive Unit - A photosensitive unit includes: a photosensitive member that carries a developer image on a surface thereof; a primary roller, which contacts the surface of the photosensitive member, and which captures a foreign substance on the surface of the photosensitive member; a pair of primary bearing members that rotatably support axial end portions of the primary roller; a pair of pressing members that press the pair of primary bearing members toward the photosensitive member; and a pair of guide members that guide the pair of primary bearing members in a pressing direction in which the pair of pressing members press the pair of primary bearing members. | 11-04-2010 |
20110123226 | Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A process cartridge is configured to be mounted in an apparatus main body along a predetermined mounting direction. The process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum drive input member into which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum is inputted; and a frame which holds the photosensitive drum and the drum drive input member; the frame including: a substantially cylindrical first protecting member which is formed on the frame. The first protecting member is configured to accommodate the drum drive input member, and project in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, wherein a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at a downstream side in the mounting direction is smaller than a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at an upstream side in the mounting direction. | 05-26-2011 |
20110182612 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE HAVING RETAINING MEMBER THAT CAN BE PULLED OUT THEREFROM - An image forming device includes a casing, photosensitive bodies, developing devices, developer accommodating devices, and a retaining member. The developer accommodating devices includes a first developer accommodating device that is individually replaceable and separable from the corresponding developing device and a second developer accommodating device that is replaceable together with the corresponding developing device. The retaining member retains the photosensitive bodies arranged in an arrangement direction, the developing devices, and the developer accommodating devices at fixed positions within the casing. The retaining member is capable of being pulled out from the casing and is movable between a housed position and a withdrawn position. One of the developer accommodating devices located at a most upstream side in the arrangement direction is the first developer accommodating device, and each of the developer accommodating devices other than the one of the developer accommodating devices is the second developer accommodating device. | 07-28-2011 |
20110182613 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE HAVING RETAINING MEMBER THAT CAN BE PULLED OUT THEREFROM - An image forming device includes a casing, photosensitive bodies, developing devices, developer accommodating devices, and a retaining member. The developer accommodating devices includes a first developer accommodating device that is individually replaceable and separable from the corresponding developing device and a second developer accommodating device that is replaceable together with the corresponding developing device. The retaining member retains the photosensitive bodies arranged in an arrangement direction, the developing devices, and the developer accommodating devices at fixed positions within the casing. The retaining member is capable of being pulled out from the casing and is movable between a housed position and a withdrawn position. One of the developer accommodating devices located at a most downstream side in the arrangement direction is the first developer accommodating device, and each of the developer accommodating devices other than the one of the developer accommodating devices is the second developer accommodating device. | 07-28-2011 |
20110188889 | CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cartridge includes: a rotational body; a joint member having a first joint-side engagement part configured to be engaged to a rotational body-side engagement part with a predetermined moving range in a rotational direction, and a press member, wherein the joint member has a second joint-side engagement part configured to be engaged with a transfer-side engagement part with central axes of the joint member and the driving force transfer member being substantially matched, and wherein when the second joint-side engagement part is contacted to the driving force transfer member at a position at which the central axes of the joint member and the driving force transfer member are not matched, the joint member is rotated within the predetermined range and the second joint-side engagement part is thus moved, so that the second joint-side engagement part is engaged with the transfer-side engagement part in the rotational direction. | 08-04-2011 |
20110217068 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING TONER CARTRIDGE - A holder unit is movable between an accommodated position and a pulled out position. A plurality of toner cartridges is detachably attached to the holder unit. A shutter provided on each toner cartridge is movable between a block position where the shutter blocks an opening of a case and an open position where the shutter opens the opening. An operation member of each toner cartridge operates the shutter such that the shutter moves between a first position and a second position. The shutter is located at the open position when the operation member is located at the first position. The shutter is located at the block position when the operation member is located at the second position. An interference member is configured such that the operation members abut the interference member to be displaced from the second position to the first position when the holder unit is moved from the pulled out position to the accommodated position. | 09-08-2011 |
20110217069 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING TONER CARTRIDGE - Each of the toner cartridges includes a case, a shutter, a first operation portion and a second operation portion. The shutter is located at an open position where the shutter opens an opening of a case when the first operation portion is located at a first position. The shutter is located at a block position the shutter blocks the opening when the first operation portion is located at a second position. The shutter is located at the open position when the second operation portion is located at a third position. The shutter is located at the block position when the second operation portion is located at a fourth position. An interference unit is configured such that a first operation portions abut the interference unit to be displaced from the second position to the first position when a holder unit is moved from a pulled out position to an accommodated position and such that the second operation portions abut the interference unit to be displaced from the third position to the fourth position when the holder unit is moved from the accommodated position to the pulled out position. | 09-08-2011 |
20110299878 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE INCLUDING TONER CARTRIDGE HAVING SHUTTER - An image forming device includes a support member and a plurality of operation members supported on the support member. The support member is movable relative to a main casing. A plurality of toner cartridges is detachably mounted on the support member, and each includes a casing formed with an opening for supplying toner to a corresponding developing unit and a shutter movable relative to the casing to selectively open and close the opening. Each operation member is operated in a direction substantially parallel to an axial direction of photosensitive drums to press one of the casing and the shutter, thereby moving the shutter relative to the casing in the direction to open the opening. | 12-08-2011 |
20110299879 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE HAVING SHUTTER DRIVING MEMBER - An image forming device includes a main casing, a support member, a plurality of image bearing members supported on the support member, a plurality of developing units supported on the support member, a plurality of toner cartridges detachably mounted on the support member, and a shutter closing mechanism. Each toner cartridge includes a casing formed with an opening through which toner accommodated in the casing is supplied to the developing unit and a shutter movable between an opening position at which the shutter opens the opening and a closing position at which the shutter closes the opening. The shutter closing mechanism moves the shutter of one of the toner cartridges to be replaced from the opening position to the closing position while maintaining the shutters of the remaining toner cartridges at the respective opening positions. | 12-08-2011 |
20110299880 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE HAVING SHUTTER DRIVING MEMBER - An image forming device includes a plurality of image bearing members, a plurality of developing units, a plurality of toner cartridges, a plurality of shutter driving members, a driving force generating member that generates a driving force, and a driving force transmitting mechanism that transmits the driving force to the shutter driving members. Each toner cartridge includes a casing formed with an opening through which toner accommodated in the casing is supplied to the corresponding developing unit and a shutter movable between an opening position at which the shutter opens the opening and a closing position at which the shutter closes the opening. Each of the shutter driving members moves the corresponding shutter between the opening position and the closing position when supplied with the driving force. | 12-08-2011 |
20110318051 | PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A photosensitive drum cartridge and an image forming apparatus including the photosensitive drum cartridge are provided. The photosensitive drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a primary cleaning roller which is configured to contact a surface of the photosensitive drum to remove an attached matter on the surface of the photosensitive drum; a first gear which is configured to rotate together with the photosensitive drum; a second gear which is configured to rotate together with the primary cleaning roller; and a third gear which is configured to mesh with the first gear and the second gear, and which has a rotation axis, a position of which is fixed such that a distance from a rotation axis of the first gear is constant. | 12-29-2011 |
20120003000 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE AND TONER CARTRIDGE MOUNTED THEREIN - An image forming device includes: a main casing; a retaining member; a plurality of developing units; a plurality of toner cartridges; and an operation unit. The retaining member is configured to be movable in a first direction between an accommodated position and a pulled-out position. The retaining member includes a first side plate and a second side plate extending in the first direction and disposed in confrontation with and spaced apart from each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The developing units are retained in the retaining member. The toner cartridges have one-on-one correspondence to the developing units and are configured to be mountable in or detachable from the retaining member when the retaining member is located at the pulled-out position. Each toner cartridge includes a casing formed with a cartridge opening, and a cartridge shutter configured to be movable between an open position for opening the cartridge opening and a closed position for closing the cartridge opening. The operation unit is provided in the retaining member and configured to be pivotally movable in an imaginary plane parallel to the first direction and the second direction. The operation unit is interlocked with the cartridge shutter while the toner cartridge is mounted in the retaining member to move the cartridge shutter between the open position and the closed position in accordance with the pivotal movement of the operation unit. | 01-05-2012 |
20120008980 | Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A process cartridge is configured to be mounted in an apparatus main body along a predetermined mounting direction. The process cartridge may include a photosensitive drum; a drum drive input member into which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum is configured to be inputted; and a frame which holds the photosensitive drum and the drum drive input member. The frame includes a substantially cylindrical first protecting member which is formed on the frame. The first protecting member is configured to accommodate the drum drive input member, and project in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, wherein a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at a downstream side in the mounting direction is smaller than a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at an upstream side in the mounting direction. | 01-12-2012 |
20120020699 | Image Forming Device - An image forming device includes a photosensitive unit, a developer cartridge, and a developing device. The photosensitive unit includes a photosensitive body. The developer cartridge accommodates developer therein and has a supported portion supported by the photosensitive unit. The developing device is disposed between the photosensitive unit and the developer cartridge and is supported by the photosensitive unit and is pivotally movable about the supported portion. The developing device includes a developer carrying member carrying the developer thereon. The developer carrying member is movable, in accordance with the pivotal movement of the developing device, between a contact position at which the developer carrying member is in contact with the photosensitive body and a separate position at which the developer carrying member is separated from the photosensitive body. | 01-26-2012 |
20120141170 | Process Cartridge, Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - A process cartridge, which includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus including a driving force output part and a feeding part, is provided. The developing cartridge includes a developer carrier, a first electrode provided at one side thereof, and a driving force receiving part provided at another side thereof and aligned with the first electrode such that the driving force receiving part overlaps the first electrode in a side view. The photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted, includes a photosensitive member, and a second electrode that contacts the first electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge and that contacts the feeding part when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The first electrode is pressed toward the driving force receiving part by contact with the second electrode. | 06-07-2012 |
20120163857 | Image Forming Apparatus Having Exposure Unit Moving Mechanism - A cam member has each of a plurality of first exposure-side surfaces provided in association with a first contact part of each exposure units and each of a plurality of second exposure-side surfaces provided in association with each first contact part. Each first contact part confronts but separates from the corresponding first exposure-side surface when the corresponding exposure unit is disposed in an adjacent position where the exposure unit is capable of exposing the corresponding photosensitive drum. Each first contact part is in contact with the corresponding second exposure-side surface when the corresponding exposure unit is disposed in a retracted position positioned farther than the adjacent position from the photosensitive drum. | 06-28-2012 |
20120328335 | Process Cartridge, Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - A process cartridge, which includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus including a driving force output part and a feeding part, is provided. The developing cartridge includes a developer carrier, a first electrode provided at one side thereof, and a driving force receiving part provided at another side thereof and aligned with the first electrode such that the driving force receiving part overlaps the first electrode in a side view. The photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted, includes a photosensitive member, and a second electrode that contacts the first electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge and that contacts the feeding part when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The first electrode is pressed toward the driving force receiving part by contact with the second electrode. | 12-27-2012 |
20130016994 | Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A process cartridge is configured to be mounted in an apparatus main body along a predetermined mounting direction. The process cartridge may include a photosensitive drum; a drum drive input member into which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum is configured to be inputted; and a frame which holds the photosensitive drum and the drum drive input member. The frame includes a substantially cylindrical first protecting member which is formed on the frame. The first protecting member is configured to accommodate the drum drive input member, and project in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, wherein a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at a downstream side in the mounting direction is smaller than a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at an upstream side in the mounting direction. | 01-17-2013 |
20130051813 | Image Forming Apparatus Capable of Judging Whether Cartridge is Newly Mounted - In an image forming apparatus, a cartridge has a cartridge side electrode. A main casing has a main casing side electrode. The cartridge includes a moving member that allows the main casing side electrode to be located at a connection position when the moving member is at a first position, to be located at a disconnection position when the moving member is at a second position, and to be located at the connection position when the moving member is at a third position. A determining unit determines that the cartridge's state is new if the determining unit detects that the main casing side electrode is electrically connected to the cartridge side electrode, then the main casing side electrode is electrically disconnected from the cartridge side electrode temporarily, and then the main casing side electrode is again electrically connected to the cartridge side electrode. | 02-28-2013 |
20130051833 | Cartridge Having Coupling Member and Detection Body - In a cartridge, a housing has a developer accommodating portion and includes a first side wall and a second side wall. A coupling member is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the first side wall. A detection body is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the second side wall. A first driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the coupling member with respect to the first side wall, and transmits driving force from the coupling member to a rotating member. A second driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the detection body with respect to the second side wall, and transmits driving force from the rotating member to the detection body. | 02-28-2013 |
20130051834 | Photosensitive Member Unit Having Electrode and Image Forming Apparatus Using the Same - A photosensitive member unit includes a photosensitive member, first and second side walls, a rotatable body and a unit electrode. The photosensitive member defines an axis extending in an axial direction, and has first and second end portions in the axial direction. The first side wall rotatably supports the first end portion and the second side wall rotatably supports the second end portion. The rotatable body is rotatably disposed between the first and the second side walls. The rotatable body confronts and contacts the photosensitive member in a prescribed direction perpendicular to the axial direction to be movable in the prescribed direction. The unit electrode is provided at the first side wall and supports the rotatable body, the first side wall supporting the unit electrode to permit the unit electrode to be movable in the prescribed direction in conjunction with movement of the rotatable body in the axial direction. | 02-28-2013 |
20130051846 | Photosensitive Member Cartridge, Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus Using the Same - A photosensitive member cartridge includes: a photosensitive member extending in an axial direction; a frame including a pair of photosensitive member receiving portions configured to receive axial end portions of the photosensitive member; and a pair of holding members configured to hold the axial end portions of the photosensitive member. The frame includes a first frame and a second frame separable from each other in a prescribed direction perpendicular to the axial direction and mating with each other such that the first frame provides a part of each photosensitive member receiving portion and the second frame provides a remaining part of each photosensitive member receiving portion. Each of the holding members is engaged with both of the first frame and the second frame. | 02-28-2013 |
20130084081 | Image Forming Apparatus Capable of Determining a Condition of Cartridge Assembled Therein - An image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a cartridge, and a CPU. The main casing includes a detection electrode. The cartridge accommodating therein toner is attachable to and detachable from the main casing, and has a cartridge electrode electrically connectable to the detection electrode, and a moving member supported to the cartridge electrode. The moving member is movable from a first position where an electrical connection between the cartridge electrode and the detection electrode is interrupted to a third position where the electrical connection is interrupted via a second position where the electrical connection is established. The CPU is configured to judge whether or not the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. The CPU determines that the assembled cartridge is new when the electrical connection is first interrupted, and established, and then interrupted in accordance with the movement of the moving member. | 04-04-2013 |
20130084082 | Image Forming Apparatus and Cartridge Therefor - An image forming apparatus and a cartridge to be used therein. The image forming device includes a main casing, a CPU as a judgment unit, and a main electrode. The cartridge accommodating therein a toner is attachable to and detachable from the main casing, and has a moving member and a cartridge electrode electrically connectable to the main electrode. The CPU is configured to judge assembly or non-assembly of the cartridge with respect to the main casing and to judge whether or not the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. The moving member is movable by a predetermined moving amount to permit the cartridge electrode to be movable. As a result of a movement of the main electrode in accordance with the movement of the cartridge electrode, the CPU determines that the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. | 04-04-2013 |
20130084083 | Image Forming Apparatus and Cartridge Therefor - An image forming apparatus and a cartridge to be used therein. The image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a CPU, and a main electrode. The cartridge accommodating therein toner is attachable to and detachable from the main casing, and has a cartridge electrode electrically connectable to the main electrode, a moving member and a pressure member. The CPU is configured to judge assembly or non-assembly of the cartridge with respect to the main casing and to judge whether or not the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. The moving member is movable by a predetermined moving amount to permit the pressure member to be movable. The cartridge electrode is movable in accordance with the movement of the pressure member. As a result of a movement of the main electrode in accordance with the movement of the cartridge electrode, the CPU determines that the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. | 04-04-2013 |
20130084084 | Image Forming Apparatus and Cartridge Therefor - An image forming apparatus and a cartridge to be used therein. The image forming apparatus includes a main casing, a CPU as a judgment unit, and a main electrode. The cartridge accommodating therein a toner is attachable to and detachable from the main casing, and has a cartridge electrode electrically connectable to the main electrode. The CPU is configured to judge assembly or non-assembly of the cartridge with respect to the main casing and to judge whether or not the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. The cartridge electrode is movable by a predetermined moving amount to permit the main electrode to be movable. As a result of a movement of the main electrode in accordance with the movement of the cartridge electrode, the CPU determines that the assembled cartridge is a new cartridge. | 04-04-2013 |
20130084101 | Image Forming Apparatus and Image Forming Unit - Image forming apparatuses include: a casing; an image forming unit removable from the casing in a first direction; and plural developer cartridges. The cartridges may be attached and detached with respect to the image forming unit in a second direction that is inclined toward the first direction. Other image forming apparatuses include: a casing; an exposure device; a plurality of cartridges configured to be attached and detached with respect to the casing in a first direction; and a recording medium transport system for transporting recording media adjacent the photosensitive members in a second direction. The first direction may be inclined with respect to the second direction, and at least a portion of optical paths of the light emitted from the exposure device may extend parallel with the first direction. Aspects also relate to image forming units, e.g., for use in image forming apparatuses as described above. | 04-04-2013 |
20130136494 | Process Unit Having Drum Cartridge and Developer Cartridge - A process unit includes a photosensitive unit, a developer unit, a first urging member, and a second urging member. The first urging member urges the developer unit with a first urging force when the developer unit is in a contact position where a developing member contacts a photosensitive drum. The first urging member urges the developer unit with a second urging force greater than the first urging force when the developer unit is in a separated position where the developing member is separated from the photosensitive drum. The second urging member urges the developer unit with a third urging force smaller than the first urging force when the developer unit is in the contact position. The second urging member urges the developer unit with a fourth urging force smaller than the third urging force when the developer unit is moved from the separated position to the contact position. | 05-30-2013 |
20130243477 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING TONER CARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE SHUTTER - An image forming apparatus includes a holder, photosensitive drums, developing units, and toner cartridges. Each toner cartridge includes a case, shutter, and operation member. The case contains the toner therein and has an opening at a position confronting the corresponding developing unit in a state that the toner cartridge is attached to the holder. The shutter is movable between a block position and an open position. The shutter is located at the open position when the operation member is located at a first position. The shutter is located at the block position when the operation member is located at a second position. The operation member has: a base end fixed to the shutter; and a distal end configured to move from a lower position to a position higher than the lower position when the operation member is moved from the first position to the second position. | 09-19-2013 |
20130259536 | Developing Cartridge - A process cartridge, which includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive cartridge for use with an image forming apparatus including a driving force output part and a feeding part, is provided. The developing cartridge includes a developer carrier, a first electrode provided at one side thereof, and a driving force receiving part provided at another side thereof and aligned with the first electrode such that the driving force receiving part overlaps the first electrode in a side view. The photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted, includes a photosensitive member, and a second electrode that contacts the first electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted in the photosensitive cartridge and that contacts the feeding part when the photosensitive cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus. The first electrode is pressed toward the driving force receiving part by contact with the second electrode. | 10-03-2013 |
20130294800 | CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cartridge includes: a rotational body; a joint member having a first joint-side engagement part configured to be engaged to a rotational body-side engagement part with a predetermined moving range in a rotational direction, and a press member, wherein the joint member has a second joint-side engagement part configured to be engaged with a transfer-side engagement part with central axes of the joint member and the driving force transfer member being substantially matched, and wherein when the second joint-side engagement part is contacted to the driving force transfer member at a position at which the central axes of the joint member and the driving force transfer member are not matched, the joint member is rotated within the predetermined range and the second joint-side engagement part is thus moved, so that the second joint-side engagement part is engaged with the transfer-side- engagement part in the rotational direction. | 11-07-2013 |
20130302069 | Image Forming Apparatus and Process Cartridge - The image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a drum drive input member; a developing cartridge configured to be movably mounted to the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge comprising a developing roller disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum and a developing drive input member; a drum drive transmission member configured to engage with the drum drive input member and configured to transmit drum driving force to the drum drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the drum drive input member within a predetermined range; and a developing drive transmission member configured to engage with the developing drive input member and configured to transmit developing driving force to the developing drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the developing drive input member within a predetermined range. | 11-14-2013 |
20140037332 | Image Forming Apparatus Having Exposure Unit Moving Mechanism - A cam member has each of a plurality of first exposure-side surfaces provided in association with a first contact part of each exposure units and each of a plurality of second exposure-side surfaces provided in association with each first contact part. Each first contact part confronts but separates from the corresponding first exposure-side surface when the corresponding exposure unit is disposed in an adjacent position where the exposure unit is capable of exposing the corresponding photosensitive drum. Each first contact part is in contact with the corresponding second exposure-side surface when the corresponding exposure unit is disposed in a retracted position positioned farther than the adjacent position from the photosensitive drum. | 02-06-2014 |
20140044453 | Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - A developing cartridge includes a case having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and a developing roller disposed between the first sidewall and second sidewall. The developing roller can include a developing roller shaft and a developing roller member configured to carry a developing agent thereon, the developing roller member disposed around the developing roller shaft. Also, the developing cartridge can include an electrode disposed on the first sidewall adjacent to the developing roller shaft, the electrode electrically connected to the developing roller member, and a driven coupling disposed on the second sidewall. The electrode can include, an extending portion extending in a direction away from the first sidewall. An outermost periphery of the driven coupling defines a projection plane projecting in a direction towards the electrode, wherein at least a part of the extending portion is disposed within the projection plane. | 02-13-2014 |
20140044454 | Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - A developing cartridge includes a case having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and a developing roller disposed between the first sidewall and second sidewall. The developing roller can include a developing roller shaft and a developing roller member configured to carry a developing agent thereon, the developing roller member disposed around the developing roller shaft. Also, the developing cartridge can include an electrode disposed on the first sidewall adjacent to the developing roller shaft, the electrode electrically connected to the developing roller member, and a driven coupling disposed on the second sidewall. The electrode can include, an extending portion extending in a direction away from the first sidewall. An outermost periphery of the driven coupling defines a projection plane projecting in a direction towards the electrode, wherein at least a part of the extending portion is disposed within the projection plane. | 02-13-2014 |
20140044455 | Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - A developing cartridge includes a case having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and a developing roller disposed between the first sidewall and second sidewall. The developing roller can include a developing roller shaft and a developing roller member configured to carry a developing agent thereon, the developing roller member disposed around the developing roller shaft. Also, the developing cartridge can include an electrode disposed on the first sidewall adjacent to the developing roller shaft, the electrode electrically connected to the developing roller member, and a driven coupling disposed on the second sidewall. The electrode can include, an extending portion extending in a direction away from the first sidewall. An outermost periphery of the driven coupling defines a projection plane projecting in a direction towards the electrode, wherein at least a part of the extending portion is disposed within the projection plane. | 02-13-2014 |
20140050508 | Image Forming Apparatus and Developing Cartridge - A developing cartridge includes a case having a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and a developing roller disposed between the first sidewall and second sidewall. The developing roller can include a developing roller shaft and a developing roller member configured to carry a developing agent thereon, the developing roller member disposed around the developing roller shaft. Also, the developing cartridge can include an electrode disposed on the first sidewall adjacent to the developing roller shaft, the electrode electrically connected to the developing roller member, and a driven coupling disposed on the second sidewall. The electrode can include, an extending portion extending in a direction away from the first sidewall. An outermost periphery of the driven coupling defines a projection plane projecting in a direction towards the electrode, wherein at least a part of the extending portion is disposed within the projection plane. | 02-20-2014 |
20140072337 | Image Forming Apparatus and Image Forming Unit - Image forming apparatuses include: a casing; an image forming unit removable from the casing in a first direction; and plural developer cartridges. The cartridges may be attached and detached with respect to the image forming unit in a second direction that is inclined toward the first direction. Other image forming apparatuses include: a casing; an exposure device; a plurality of cartridges configured to be attached and detached with respect to the casing in a first direction; and a recording medium transport system for transporting recording media adjacent the photosensitive members in a second direction. The first direction may be inclined with respect to the second direction, and at least a portion of optical paths of the light emitted from the exposure device may extend parallel with the first direction. Aspects also relate to image forming units, e.g., for use in image forming apparatuses as described above. | 03-13-2014 |
20140072338 | Process Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus - A process cartridge is configured to be mounted in an apparatus main body along a predetermined mounting direction. The process cartridge may include a photosensitive drum; a drum drive input member into which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum is configured to be inputted; and a frame which holds the photosensitive drum and the drum drive input member. The frame includes a substantially cylindrical first protecting member which is formed on the frame. The first protecting member is configured to accommodate the drum drive input member, and project in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, wherein a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at a downstream side in the mounting direction is smaller than a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at an upstream side in the mounting direction. | 03-13-2014 |
20140086613 | CARTRIDGES INCLUDING DETECTION MEMBER AND COVER MEMBER - Cartridges may include a developing roller, an electrode, a detection member, and a cover member. The developing roller rotates about an axis extending along a first direction. The electrode includes a protrusion that protrudes along the first direction to an end portion. The detection member includes a cover portion, which covers an exposable portion of the protrusion when the detection member is in a first position, and which exposes the exposable portion of the protrusion when the detection member is in a second position. The cover member covers a portion of the detection member and exposes the cover portion when the detection member is in the first position. The cover member extends in the first direction to an end portion. An overlap portion of the protrusion extends at least to the end portion of the cover member and overlaps a portion of the cover member in a second direction. | 03-27-2014 |
20140093273 | Image Forming Apparatus Provided with Mechanism to Move Developing Roller Relative to Photosensitive Drum - An image forming apparatus includes a main casing and a cartridge detachably mountable therein. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a developing roller disposed to oppose each other. The main casing includes: a metal frame for supporting the cartridge; a lock member supported to the metal frame and movable about a first axis to allow or restrict movement of the photosensitive drum relative to the metal frame; and a contact-separation member supported to the metal frame and movable about a second axis to allow contact and separation of the developing roller relative to the photosensitive drum. The lock member and the contact-separation member are aligned in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to an axis of the photosensitive drum such that the first axis is not overlapped with the contact-separation member or the second axis is not overlapped with the lock member in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. | 04-03-2014 |
20140093279 | Image Forming Apparatus For Maintaining Positions of Photosensitive Drums Relative to Casing - An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge and a casing. The cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a developing frame, and a drum frame. The developing frame is movable between a contact position and a separated position. A separating member provided on the drum frame acts on the developing frame, so that a reaction force is exerted in a reaction force direction. The casing includes a positioning member, an urging member, and a separation pressing member. The positioning member has a first surface and a second surface. The urging member is configured to urge an end portion of the photosensitive drum toward the positioning member in an urging direction. The first surface is configured to support the end portion at a position downstream of the urging direction. The second surface is configured to support the end portion at a portion downstream of the reaction force direction. | 04-03-2014 |
20140147159 | Photosensitive Member Cartridge - A photosensitive member cartridge includes first and second side walls which rotatably support end portions of the photosensitive member in an axial direction of the photosensitive member, a rotating body disposed between the first side wall and the second side wall to face the photosensitive member, and a cartridge electrode which extends in the axial direction and disposed on the first side wall to be movable in the axial direction, and contacts the rotating body to supply electric power to the rotating body. The cartridge electrode includes a contact portion which contacts an end surface of the rotating body in the axial direction. The first side wall includes an abutting portion which abuts on the end surface of the rotating body. The cartridge electrode is configured such that the first contact portion is movable further than the abutting portion in the axial direction. | 05-29-2014 |
20150086238 | Image Forming Apparatus and Process Cartridge - The image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a drum drive input member; a developing cartridge configured to be movably mounted to the drum cartridge, the developing cartridge comprising a developing roller disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum and a developing drive input member; a drum drive transmission member configured to engage with the drum drive input member and configured to transmit drum driving force to the drum drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the drum drive input member within a predetermined range; and a developing drive transmission member configured to engage with the developing drive input member and configured to transmit developing driving force to the developing drive input member while permitting a positional gap of the developing drive input member within a predetermined range. | 03-26-2015 |