Patent classifications
G03G2221/1657
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus
A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. A coupling member is provided adjacent to one axial end of the developing roller. The coupling member includes a driven portion, and an intermediary portion configured and positioned to engage with the driven portion. The intermediary portion is also configured to be movable relative to the driven portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the driven portion. The coupling member further includes a driving portion configured and positioned to receive a driving force for rotating the developing roller. The driving portion is also configured to engage with the intermediary portion, and to be movable relative to the intermediary portion in a direction crossing the axis of the developing roller while maintaining engagement with the intermediary portion.
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing roller configured to fix an image on a sheet with heat, a rotary member configured to form a nip portion with the fixing roller and driven by the fixing roller, a motor configured to drive the fixing roller, a motor control unit configured to control the motor, a current detection unit configured to detect a current value of a current flowing through the motor, a controller configured to: determine whether or not a stick-slip phenomenon has occurred based on the current value; increase a rotation speed of the motor in a case where the stick-slip phenomenon has occurred, decrease the rotation speed of the motor in a case where the stick-slip phenomenon has not occurred.
Developing cartridge including first arm pivotally movable along with pivotal movement of cam and along with rotation of first shaft
A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller; a casing having an outer surface; a first shaft rotatable about a rotational axis; a first arm; and a cam. The first arm and the cam extend radially outward from an outer periphery of the first shaft and pivotally movable along with rotation of the first shaft. The cam has: one end connected to the first shaft; another end positioned farther from the rotational axis than the one end is farther from the rotational axis; and a pressure contact surface inclined so as to approach the outer surface of the casing as extending from the one end toward the another end. When a pressing force is applied to the pressure contact surface, the first arm pivotally moves from a first position to a second position along with: pivotal movement of the cam; and the rotation of the first shaft.
MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING STOP POSITION OF ROTOR
A motor control apparatus includes a voltage control unit and a current detection unit. The voltage control unit controls a voltage when applied to cause current to flow through the coils a motor that is detected by the current detection unit. When measurement processing is performed on a set from a plurality of sets of coils having two coils each, a first detection result is obtained by the coil current flowing from a first coil of the set to a second coil of the set. A second detection result then is obtained by the coil current flowing from the second coil to the first coil. The stop position of the rotor of the motor is determined based on the first detection result and the second detection result obtained for each of the plurality of sets of coils.
Power receiving unit and process cartridge
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.
Developing apparatus
A developing apparatus includes a developer carrying member configured to carry developer, and a developer supply member configured to supply the developer to the developer carrying member, the developer supply member including a shaft, first and second driving members disposed at a first end and a second end of the shaft, respectively, and a toner supply unit disposed between the first end and the second end of the shaft, wherein the first driving member receives a driving force for rotating the developer supply member, and the second driving member outputs the driving force, and wherein the second driving member is mounted to the shaft without play in a rotational direction of the developer supply member with respect to the shaft.
Partial reverse clutch assembly
A partial reverse clutch assembly comprises a frame, a coupling member, a corrugated swing body, and a cam body. The frame mounts an input gear and an output gear, and, a coupling member that is disposed between input and output gears couple the input gear to the output gear to transmit a motorized rotational drive in a first direction. The swing body is coupled between the input gear and the coupling member and comprises a projecting swing arm. The cam body abuts and defines a sliding contact between the swing body and the coupling member, where a reversal of the motorized rotational drive oppositely rotates the output gear in engagement with the swing arm in a second direction. The cam body is displaced upon contact with the swing body during the rotation in the second direction to decouple the coupling member between the input gear and the output gear.
FAILURE PREDICTION SERVER, FAILURE PREDICTION SYSTEM, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
According to at least one embodiment, a failure prediction server includes an interface, a memory, and a processor. The interface is configured to communicate with equipment including a component that deteriorates over time. The memory is configured to store measurement data acquired from the equipment. The processor is configured to set a monitoring start condition for failure prediction in the corresponding equipment based on the measurement data acquired as initial data from the equipment, accumulate the measurement data acquired from the equipment in the memory after the monitoring start condition is satisfied, and predict a failure of the component based on the measurement data accumulated in the memory.
Cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus which uses cartridge
A cartridge includes a frame and a developing roller for developing a latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The cartridge also includes a coupling member having a rotational force receiving portion to receive a rotational force to be transmitted to the developing roller. First and second force receiving portions are provided on the frame. The coupling member is movable relative to the roller axis between a first position in which the coupling axis is substantially parallel to the roller axis and a second position different from the first position.
Replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device having a movable electrical connector
A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit is electrically connected to processing circuitry mounted on the housing. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves outward from the first side of the housing along a side-to-side dimension of the housing when the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position. The electrical contact of the replaceable unit faces downward when the electrical connector is in the second position permitting the corresponding electrical contact to contact the electrical contact of the replaceable unit from below.