Patent classifications
G03G21/18
DEVELOPING DEVICE, REGULATING MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
A developing device includes a frame, a cylindrical developer carrying member rotatably supported by the frame and configured to carry a developer containing toner particles, and a regulating member fixed to the frame at one end thereof and including a contact portion which contacts the developer carrying member at the other end of the regulating member and which forms a contact nip between the regulating member and the developer carrying member. When a position of the contact portion where a maximum of a pressure distribution of the contact portion to the developer carrying member with respect to a rotational direction of the developer carrying member is indicated is a reference position, the contact portion includes a first surface portion positioned upstream of the reference position and a second surface portion positioned downstream of the reference position with respect to the rotational direction.
CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, the movable member movable relative to the photosensitive drum to control an inclination angle of a drive transmission member. The movable member is movable between a first position for reducing an inclination angle of the drive transmission member relative to the photosensitive drum and a second position retracted from the first position. By this, driving connection can be smoothly carried out.
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
An image forming apparatus comprises: an image processor to convert image data based on a conversion condition; an image forming unit to form an image based on the converted image data using a replaceable member; a memory to store the image data and the converted image data; a sensor to perform measurement on a test image; and a controller. If the replacement of the replaceable member is detected while forming images, the controller controls the image forming unit to form the test image and generates the conversion condition based on a result of the measurement on the test image. If the replacement of the replaceable member is detected while forming the images, the controller further controls the image processor to convert the image data stored in the memory based on the generated conversion condition.
Developer cartridge provided with gear having engagement portions
A developer cartridge may include: a first gear having a small-diameter gear portion and a large-diameter gear portion; and a second gear including: a first columnar portion centered on a second axis; a second columnar portion having a smaller diameter than the first columnar portion; a first engagement portion extending along a portion of a peripheral surface of the first columnar portion and engageable with the small-diameter gear portion; a second engagement portion extending along a portion of a peripheral surface of the second columnar portion and positioned closer to a housing than the first engagement portion in an axial direction and engageable with the large-diameter gear portion; and a protruding portion protruding in the axial direction and rotatable together with the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion. The second engagement portion may engage the large-diameter gear portion after the first engagement portion engages the small-diameter gear portion.
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.
Cartridge including a memory mounting portion and image forming apparatus including the cartridge
Disclosed is a cartridge attachable to an image forming apparatus body, the cartridge including: a memory member storing information relating to the cartridge; and a supporting body having a memory mounting portion on which the memory member is mounted, the memory member having a first surface, a second surface, and a lateral surface, the first surface is provided with a contact portion connected to a body electrode portion of the body of the image forming apparatus when the cartridge is installed in the body of the image forming apparatus, the memory mounting portion has a first opposing portion opposing the second surface and a second opposing portion opposing the lateral surface when the memory member is mounted, the memory member is mounted by adhesive between the second surface and the first opposing portion and between the lateral surface and the second opposing portion.
Image-forming apparatus provided with urging member for urging process cartridge
An image-forming apparatus includes: a main body; a toner cartridge having a first opening; a process cartridge having a photosensitive drum and a second opening; a positioning part; a transfer unit; and an urging member. The toner cartridge and process cartridge are attachable to and detachable from the main body in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum. The positioning part and transfer unit are positioned above the process cartridge attached to the main body. The positioning part fixes the attached process cartridge in position relative to the main body. The urging member urges the attached process cartridge toward the positioning part and urges the process cartridge such that the toner can be supplied from the toner cartridge to the process cartridge through the first opening and the second opening when the toner cartridge and the process cartridge are attached to the main body.
Image forming apparatus including toner cartridge having toner memory and drum cartridge having drum memory
An image forming apparatus includes: a toner cartridge; a drum cartridge to which the toner cartridge is attachable; and a controller. The toner cartridge is configured to accommodate toner therein. The toner cartridge includes a toner memory. The drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; and a drum memory. The controller is configured to perform: a first determination process to determine whether communication with the drum memory is established; and after determining in the first determination process that the communication with the drum memory is established, a second determination process to determine whether communication with the toner memory is established.
Cartridge and drum unit for electrophotographic image forming apparatus
A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, and a casing rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum and the developing roller. The casing includes a groove open to outside of the casing. The casing also includes first and second projected parts that project from the first end portion of the casing in the direction of a rotational axis of the photosensitive drum and away from the photosensitive drum. As seen in the direction of the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum, the rotational axis of the photosensitive drum and the groove are positioned along a line in the extended direction, with the first projected part being positioned on one side of the line and the second projected part being positioned on the other side of the line. A first end of the groove and a second end of the groove are open such that the groove forms a channel in the casing along the extended direction.
Image forming apparatus including developing cartridge
An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge including a developing roller and movable between a contact position and a spaced position, a first spacing member configured to move the developing cartridge between the contact position and the spaced position, a first cam configured to move the first spacing member, and a lock member movable between a lock position at which the photoconductive drum is locked to the housing and a lock releasing position at which the lock of the photoconductive drum with respect to the housing is released. The lock member is configured to move from the lock releasing position to the lock position by being pushed by the first spacing member.