G03G21/1652

Image forming apparatus having a mounting surface of an electronic circuit substrate that extends in a direction crossing an outer surface of a frame for efficient use of space
11520281 · 2022-12-06 · ·

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium, a first frame and a second frame configured to support the image forming unit, the first frame and the second frame being provided to sandwich the image forming unit, an outer casing member extending along a surface of the first frame configured to cover the first frame, and an electronic circuit substrate that is provided on a side opposite to the image forming unit via the surface of the first frame, and is provided between the first frame and the outer casing member, wherein the electronic circuit substrate extends in a direction crossing a surface of the outer casing member.

HEATING DEVICE, FIXING DEVICE, DRYING DEVICE, LAMINATOR, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A heating device includes a planar heater, a rotator, a pressure rotator, a heating device frame, a resistor, and a discharger. The pressure rotator has a conductive outer surface and presses the rotator. The heating device frame holds the pressure rotator. The discharger is in contact with the conductive outer surface of the pressure rotator and grounded via the resistor and the heating device frame.

FIXING DEVICE

A fixing device heats and fixes a toner image formed on a sheet to the sheet. The fixing device includes a heat roller and a ground contact. The heat roller heats the toner image formed on the sheet. The ground contact grounds the heat roller. The ground contact includes a first electrical conductive member, a second electrical conductive member, and an electrical insulating member. The first electrical conductive member is electrically connected to the heat roller. The second electrical conductive member is positioned opposite the first electrical conductive member and grounds the heat roller. The electrical insulating member is interposed between the first electrical conductive member and the second electrical conductive member and insulates the first electrical conductive member and the second electrical conductive member from each other.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
20220382205 · 2022-12-01 ·

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body including an electric substrate and first and second main body electrical contacts electrically connected to the electric substrate, and a cartridge detachably attached to the apparatus main body, wherein the cartridge includes first and second process members, and first and second cartridge electrical contacts electrically connected to the first and second process members, respectively. The apparatus main body includes a common holding member holding a first end portion of the first main body electrical contact and a second end portion of the second main body electrical contact, wherein the holding member is configured to move between a contact position at which the first and second end portions contact with the first and second cartridge electrical contacts, respectively, and a separation position at which the first and second end portions are separated from the first and second cartridge electrical contacts, respectively.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
20220382182 · 2022-12-01 ·

An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member that is rotatable, a substrate, a lens array, a holder, and a conductive member provided on the holder. The substrate includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, a driver integrated circuit (IC), and a wiring pattern. The plurality of light-emitting elements is arrayed in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive member to emit light to which a surface of the photosensitive member is exposed. The driver IC drives the plurality of light-emitting elements. The wiring pattern includes a supply line that supplies power to the driver IC and a ground wire that grounds the driver IC. The lens array collects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements on the photosensitive member. The holder holds the substrate and the lens array, is grounded, and is made of metal. The conductive member electrically connects the holder and the ground wire.

Power receiving unit and process cartridge
11513469 · 2022-11-29 · ·

Power receiving unit and process cartridge are provided. The power receiving unit of a process cartridge is detachably mounted in an image formation apparatus configured with a power output unit that is swingable. An outer circumference of the power output unit contains a recessed portion, and the power receiving unit is engaged with the power output unit to receive a driving force. The power receiving unit includes a protrusion. The protrusion is disposed inside the power receiving unit. The protrusion is engaged with the recessed portion of the power output unit to receive the driving force. When the power receiving unit moves along an axial direction thereof and is in a contact engagement with the power output unit, the protrusion abuts against a front end of the power output unit to cause the power output unit to be tilted and swung.

Drum cartridge and image forming apparatus
11513465 · 2022-11-29 · ·

A drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a drum frame configured to retain the photosensitive drum and to accept a developing cartridge including a toner memory, which stores information concerning the developing cartridge, a first connector electrically connectable with the toner memory in the developing cartridge under a condition where the developing cartridge is attached to the drum frame, a relay board electrically connectable with the first connector, a second connector electrically connectable with a connector in an image forming apparatus and with the toner memory through the relay board, and a thermistor electrically connectable with the relay board, is provided.

Image forming apparatus having displaceable electrical contact when mounting photoconductor unit
11513468 · 2022-11-29 · ·

A developing cartridge includes a storage medium. A first contact portion is provided in a photoconductor unit and configured to be electrically connected to the storage medium. A second contact portion is provided in an apparatus body. The photoconductor unit is configured to, in a case of attaching the photoconductor unit to the apparatus body, move from a first position to a second position while being guided by a guide member and then move from the second position to a third position below the second position. At least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is capable of being displaced such that engagement between the first contact portion and the second contact portion is performed while the photoconductor unit moves by being guided by the guide member, and the engagement is maintained while the photoconductor unit moves from the second position to the third position.

Image forming system including operation unit
11513570 · 2022-11-29 · ·

An image forming system includes an image forming unit, a housing having a top face, an operation unit freely placed on the housing top face, a touch panel, and a supporting base. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet. The operation unit is freely placed on the housing top face and accepts a user operation for causing the image forming unit to execute image formation. The operation unit includes a touch panel having a display face on which information about the image formation is displayed and accepting touch operation performed by a user. The supporting base supports the touch panel so that an inclination angle of the display face inclined with respect to the housing top face becomes one of 5 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less when the operation unit is placed on the housing top face.

Image forming apparatus that establishes short-range wireless communication between the image forming apparatus and an external device
11592779 · 2023-02-28 · ·

An image forming apparatus includes a first casing, a second casing, a support portion, an indication, and a USB port. The first casing includes a sheet discharge tray disposed at a top surface thereof. The indication is located at a portion of one of the top surface of the first casing and the support portion, and is positioned outside the sheet discharge tray in a width direction. The portion is located closer to one end of the image forming apparatus in the width direction than the other end of the image forming apparatus opposite to the one end in the width direction. The USB port is disposed at a portion of one of the second casing and the support portion closer to the one end than the other end in the width direction, and is located at a different position in an up-down direction from the indication.