Patent classifications
G03G21/1803
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a process cartridge, a scanner unit, and a toner cartridge. The process cartridge is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body. The process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum configured to rotate about a rotational axis extending in a first direction; and a development unit configured to supply toner to the photosensitive drum. The toner cartridge is configured to store toner. At least part of the photosensitive drum, at least part of the scanner unit, and at least part of the toner cartridge are aligned in a second direction in this order. The second direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and to a vertical direction. The at least part of the photosensitive drum, the at least part of the scanner unit, and the at least part of the toner cartridge overlap one another as viewed from the second direction.
ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC MEMBER AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
Provided is an electrophotographic member including: a substrate having electroconductivity; and a monolayer surface layer formed on the substrate. The surface layer has a matrix containing a crosslinked resin as a binder, and holds at least one particle containing an inorganic layered compound having an ion exchange capacity so that at least a part of the at least one particle is exposed from an outer surface of the surface layer. An elastic modulus of the matrix, measured in a region of a section in a thickness direction of the surface layer from the outer surface of the surface layer to a depth of 0.1 μm, is 200 MPa or more.
PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
[TASK] An object of the present invention is to provide an image developing apparatus and a process cartridge with which an image quality can be improved while reducing a number of parts and reducing an amount of remaining developer. [SOLUTION] A process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming operators includes a developing chamber including a developing roller and a developer supplying roller; a developer accommodating container accommodating the developer provided below the developing chamber with respect to gravity direction, wherein the developer is fed into the developing chamber while being stirred by a feeding member. The developer supplying roller rotates such that a surface thereof moves in the same direction as a surface of the developing roller at a position where the developer supplying roller contacts the developing roller. A surface speed of the developer supplying roller is higher than a surface speed of the developing roller. The developer supplying roller is rotationally driven by receiving a driving force at a position upstream of the developing roller.
Replaceable unit for an image forming device having magnets of varying angular offset for toner level sensing
A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. A rotatable shaft is positioned within the reservoir and has an axis of rotation. A first magnet and a second magnet are connected to the shaft and rotatable around the axis of rotation in response to rotation of the shaft. The first magnet and the second magnet pass near at least a portion of an inner wall of the housing forming the reservoir during rotation of the first and second magnets. An amount of angular offset between the first magnet and the second magnet varies depending on an amount of toner in the reservoir.
Drive coupler
A replaceable unit for an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for storing toner. The replaceable unit includes a rotatable drive coupler and a rotatable shaft that has a cross pin on an axial end of the shaft, generally orthogonal to the shaft. At least a portion of the drive coupler is exposed on an exterior of the housing and unobstructed to receive rotational force when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A pocket is formed in a first axial side of the drive coupler. The axial end of the shaft and the cross pin are removably positioned in the pocket such that upon rotating the drive coupler in an operative direction rotational force is transferred from surfaces of the drive coupler forming the pocket to the cross pin causing the shaft to rotate with the drive coupler.
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
An image forming apparatus includes a body casing, a pressing member, a process cartridge, and a drawer. The body casing includes a positioning member. The pressing member is disposed inside the body casing. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum. The drawer is configured to support the process cartridge and to move, in a sliding direction orthogonal to an axis direction of the photosensitive drum, between an inside position that is a position inside the body casing and an outside position that is a position outside the body casing. The process cartridge includes an engagement portion and a spring. The engagement portion is configured to be positioned by the positioning member. The spring is configured to be pressed by the pressing member such that the engagement portion is pressed toward the positioning member.
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a process cartridge, a scanner unit, and a toner cartridge. The process cartridge is detachably mounted on the apparatus main body. The process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum configured to rotate about a rotational axis extending in a first direction; and a development unit configured to supply toner to the photosensitive drum. The toner cartridge is configured to store toner. At least part of the photosensitive drum, at least part of the scanner unit, and at least part of the toner cartridge are aligned in a second direction in this order. The second direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and to a vertical direction. The at least part of the photosensitive drum, the at least part of the scanner unit, and the at least part of the toner cartridge overlap one another as viewed from the second direction.
CARTRIDGE MOUNTABLE TO IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
A drum cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a cleaning frame, a photosensitive drum rotatably supported by the cleaning frame, and an opening provided in the cleaning frame and configured to expose the photosensitive drum. In a factory default state of the drum cartridge, handling caution information is printed in at least part of a region of a surface of the photosensitive drum, the region being exposed from the opening.
DEVELOPING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE
There is provided a developing apparatus including a conveyance member configured to bend in contact with an inner wall of a conveyance chamber and convey developer, a portion configured to bend the conveyance member, and a first releasing portion configured to release the bending of the conveyance member, a deforming portion configured to bend the conveyance member moved and released from the first releasing portion, and a second releasing portion configured to release the bending of the conveyance member on the downstream side of the deforming portion in the rotational direction of the conveyance member.