ЭЛЕКТРОФОТОГРАФИЧЕСКИЙ ЭЛЕМЕНТ, ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ КАРТРИДЖ И ЭЛЕКТРОФОТОГРАФИЧЕСКОЕ УСТРОЙСТВО

Данное изобретение относится к электрофотографическому элементу для применения в электрофотографическом устройстве, технологическому картриджу и электрофотографическому устройству, имеющему электрофотографический элемент. Описан электрофотографический элемент, содержащий основу, упругий слой и поверхностный слой, содержащий уретановую смолу, причем уретановая смола имеет подструктуру A, имеющую по меньшей мере одну структуру, выбранную из группы, состоящей из структур структурных формул (1)-(7), между соседними двумя уретановыми звеньями, и дополнительно имеет подструктуру B, производную от реакции соединения, представленного приведенной ниже структурной формулой (8), с полиизоцианатом, где n представляет собой целое число 1 или более и 4 или менее, каждая из групп R3 представляет независимым образом приведенную ниже группу R3A или приведенную ниже группу R3B, при условии, что по меньшей мере четыре группы R3 являются R3A, R3A представляет собой любую группу, выбранную из группы, состоящей ...

БЛОК ЭЛЕКТРОФОТОГРАФИЧЕСКОГО СВЕТОЧУВСТВИТЕЛЬНОГО БАРАБАНА И СПОСОБ СНЯТИЯ СОЕДИНИТЕЛЬНОГО ЭЛЕМЕНТА

... 1. Блок электрофотографического светочувствительного барабана, содержащий:(a) цилиндр, имеющий светочувствительный слой на его внешней периферии; и(b) фланец барабана, закрепленный на одном конце упомянутого цилиндра, причем упомянутый фланец барабана включает в себя множество выступов, предусмотренных внутри упомянутого фланца барабана и выступающих радиально внутрь от фланца барабана, с зазором диаметрально между упомянутыми выступами, при этом каждый выступ имеет выемку для легкой деформации упомянутых выступов.2. Блок по п.1, в котором участок каждого выступа имеет нависающую часть.3. Блок по п.1, в котором другой зазор сформирован между регулирующими участками вдоль окружного направления упомянутого фланца барабана.4. Блок по п.3, в котором множество таких выемок предусмотрено с промежутками в окружном направлении.5. Блок по п.1, в котором упомянутый фланец барабана выполнен из смолы.6. Блок по п.1, далее содержащий зубчатую часть, предусмотренную вдоль наружной поверхности упомянутого ...

Elektrophotographisches lichtempfindliches Element, Prozesskassette und elektrophotographisches Gerät, unter Verwendung desselben

Elektrophotographisches Druckgerät

Elektrofotografisches lichtempfindliches Element, Prozesskartusche und elektrofotografisches Gerät

Es wird ein elektrofotografisches lichtempfindliches Element, eine Prozesskartusche und ein elektrofotografisches Gerät bereitgestellt, die hervorragend in den Ladungseigenschaften sind und das Restpotenzial in dem Fall unterdrücken können, wo ein Strontiumtitanat-Teilchen als ein Metalloxidteilchen in einer Grundierungsschicht des elektrofotografischen lichtempfindlichen Elements verwendet wird. Ein elektrofotografisches lichtempfindliches Element, in welchem eine Grundierungsschicht ein Strontiumtitanat-Teilchen mit einem maximalen Scheitelpunkt bei einer Position von 2θ = 32,20 ± 0,20 (θ stellt einen Bragg-Winkel dar) in einem charakteristischem CuKa-Röntgenbeugungsmuster aufweist, wobei der maximale Scheitelpunkt einer Halbwertsbreite von 0,10 Grad oder mehr und 0,50 Grad oder weniger aufweist, und eine Prozesskartusche und ein elektrofotografisches Gerät werden jeweils mit dem elektrofotografischen lichtempfindlichen Element versehen.

Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Erfassung des Zustands eines Verbrauchsprodukts

Eine Vorrichtung, die zur Erfassung des Zustands eines Verbrauchsprodukts für einen Drucker vorgesehen ist, umfaßt eine Verbraucherkassette, einen Antriebsmotor, eine Strommeßvorrichtung, einen Speicher und eine Verarbeitungsschaltungsanordnung. Die Verbrauchskassette weist ein drehbares Bauglied auf, das von der Kassette getragen wird. Der Motor ist konfiguriert, um das drehbare Bauglied zu drehen. Die Strommeßvorrichtung ist dem Motor zugeordnet und ist wirksam, um den Stromfluß durch den Motor zu messen. Der Speicher ist konfiguriert, um einen vorbestimmten Wert zu speichern, der einem Stromfluß durch den Motor entspricht und der eine Änderung des Zustands des drehbaren Bauglieds angibt. Die Verarbeitungsschaltungsanordnung ist mit der Strommeßvorrichtung und dem Speicher gekoppelt und ist wirksam, um zu bestimmen, wenn der gemessene Stromfluß dem vorbestimmten Wert des Stromflusses entspricht. Die Verarbeitungsschaltungsanordnung identifiziert außerdem den Zustand der Verbrauchskassette ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS

... 1397343 Electro-photographic apparatus HOECHST AG 5 Feb 1973 [7 Feb 1972] 5605/73 Heading G2H In an electro-photographic apparatus employing a photo-conductive material 19 disposed on a conductive layer 18 supported on a movable web 17 the conductive layer is connected to a source of fixed potential by a stationary contact having a carbon surface. As shown a layer 24 of graphite tissue clamped between metal blocks 22, 23, 28 and 29 is supported by a foam pad 31. In an alternative form, Fig.3, the graphite layer 36 and foam pad 35 are supported in a screw threaded holder 32. A screw insert 33 forces the graphite layer to project beyond the end 34 of the holder. The graphite may be replaced with carbon filament felt.

UNIT WITH PHOTOSENSITIVEM ELEMENT AND IMAGING DEVICE

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS

RECEPTACLE FOR ZIGZAG FOLDED WEB MATERIAL

ELECTROGRAPHIC ELEMENT PROVIDED WITH ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS

ELECTRONIC DEVICES COMPRISING STRUCTURED ORGANIC FILMS

An electronic device comprising a structured organic film with an added functionality comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein the structured organic film may be multi-segment think structured organic film.

PROCESS FOR PREPARING STRUCTURED ORGANIC FILMS (SOFS) VIA A PRE-SOF

A process for preparing structured organic film (SOF) comprising a plurality of segments and plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein the structured organic film may be multi-segment think structured organic film by reaction of pre-SOF.

PROCESS FOR PREPARING STRUCTURED ORGANIC FILMS (SOFS) VIA A PRE-SOF

A process for preparing structured organic film (SOF) comprising a plurality of segments and plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein the structured organic film may be multi-segment think structured organic film by reaction of pre-SOF.

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDING CARRIER AND ITS USE IN AN ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOCOPYING APPARATUS.

Electrophotographic photoconductor, and electrophotographic method, electrophotographic apparatus and process cartridge containing the electrophotographic photoconductor

An electrophotographic photoconductor including a conductive substrate and a photoconductive layer thereover, wherein the photoconductive layer contains a charge generation agent and a charge transport agent represented by General Formula (A-I), (B-I) or (C-I), and an amine compound represented by General Formula (II): where R1-3 each represent hydrogen, halogen or (un)substituted C1-6 alkyl, and n is 1 or 2, where R1-2 each represent C1-6 alkyl and R3-6 each represent hydrogen, halogen or (un)substituted C1-6 alkyl, where R8-33 each represent hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, or (un)substituted phenyl, and may be identical or different, where A and B each represent a group represented by formula (i) or (ii), and may be identical or different: -CH2X formula (i) -CH2CH2Y formula (ii) where X and Y each represent an (un)substituted aromatic group.

Image forming apparatus and processinh caddy

SYSTEME AUTOMATIQUE DE COMMANDE DE LA POLARISATION DE L'ELECTRODE DE DEVELOPPEMENT ET DU REPERAGE DU PAPIER DE TIRAGE DANS UN COPIEUR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIQUE

L'invention concerne un système automatique de commande de la polarisation de l'électrode de développement et du repérage du papier de tirage dans un copieur électrophotographique. Ledit système comporte un photodétecteur 29 qui intercepte une partie de la lumière non focalisée réfléchie vers la surface photoconductrice 15. Un circuit engendre une tension de polarisation de l'électrode de développement 39 qui varie en fonction de l'intensité lumineuse atteignant le photodétecteur 29 après que celui-ci a reçu une impulsion lumineuse réfléchie par une bande hautement réfléchissante placée en amont du document à copier. Ce retard fait en sorte que la lumière qui détermine la tension de polarisation soit réfléchie par le corps principal du document. Application aux copieurs électrophotographiques.

ELECTROSTATOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION MACHINE

ASSEMBLAGE PHOTORECEPTEUR

Un assemblage photorécepteur pour électrophotographie par transfert de charge comporte un photoconducteur et un substrat conducteur entre lesquels est interposé un semi-conducteur pour éviter des phénomènes de claquage perforant. Le semi-conducteur et le photoconducteur sont constitués à partir de la même matrice par une variation de la charge, par exemple du sulfure de cadmium ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS

PROCEEDED OF REPAIR OF PHOTORECEIVERS ELECTROSTATOGRAPHIQUES INCLUDING/UNDERSTANDING A CONDUCTING SUBSTRATE LAYER OF SELENIUM HAS

AUTOMATIC SYSTEM OF ORDERING OF THE POLARIZATION OF THE ELECTRODE OF DEVELOPMENT AND THE LOCATION OF THE PAPER OF PULLING IN AN ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC COPIER

Composite structured organic films

... 본 발명은 공유 유기 골격체로서 배열된 다수의 세그먼트와 다수의 링커를 포함하는, 추가 기능을 갖는 구조화 유기 필름에 관한 것이며, 여기서, 상기 구조화 유기 필름은 멀티-세그먼트 두께의 구조화 유기 필름일 수 있다.

PROCESS FOR PREPARING STRUCTURED ORGANIC FILMS (SOFS) VIA A PRE-SOF

A process for preparing structured organic film (SOF) comprising a plurality of segments and plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein the structured organic film may be multi-segment think structured organic film by reaction of pre-SOF.

Lubricant applicator, process cartridge including same, and image forming apparatus including same

A lubricant applicator, which is included in a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus, includes a fur brush disposed downstream from a cleaning member in a direction of rotation of the image carrier that moves in the direction of rotation of the image carrier, scrape a solid lubricant disposed opposite to the image carrier while rotating, and apply powder scraped from the solid lubricant to the surface of the image carrier; a lubricant fixing member to fix the powder to the surface of the image carrier; and a first guide member disposed between the lubricant fixing member and the fur brush to convey the powder scattered from the fur brush to the surface of the image carrier.

Electrophotographic photosensitive member, method for manufacturing electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus

An object of the present invention is to improve a phenomenon of the life-shortening of the endurance life due to scratch occurring when recesses of a fixed dimple shape are formed on the surface of the surface layer, in order to inhibit the chattering and folding back of a cleaning blade and the fracture of an edge, which occurs because friction between the surface layer of the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member and an abutting member is high; and particularly to improve the above described problems, from initial printing through printing on many sheets, which become particularly remarkable when using an electrophotographic photosensitive member with the use of a curable resin that is improved so as to have a high elastic deformation rate for the surface layer, in order to improve the strength of the surface layer, for the purpose of increasing the durability of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. An electrophotographic photosensitive member for achieving ...

Photosensitive-member unit and image forming apparatus

A pressing member applies a pressing force to a trailing end in a direction which intersects a predetermined reference direction, allowing the pressing force to have both a first component in the predetermined reference direction and a second component perpendicular to the predetermined reference direction. A trailing end is pressed in the predetermined reference direction by the first component. In the mounted state, the leading end is in contact with the reference member at two contact surfaces including a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The first contact surface defines a first positioning direction being perpendicular to the first contact surface and intersecting the predetermined reference direction. The second contact surface defines a second positioning direction being perpendicular to the second contact surface and intersecting both the predetermined reference direction and the first positioning direction, allowing the photosensitive-member unit to be positioned ...

Image forming apparatus

In an image forming apparatus, a latent image electrostatically formed on a photoconductive element is developed by a two-ingredient type developer consisting of toner and carrier. The photoconductive element has a life coincident with the life of the developer. When the photoconductive element and developer reach the end of their life, they are replaced at the same time.

Image forming apparatus capable of inhibiting photoreceptor filming and color toner mixing

An image forming apparatus is provided which is capable of inhibiting filing on photoreceptor and color toner mixing, while prolonging the life of the photoreceptor. The image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor having a photosensitive surface carrying thereon an electrostatic latent image, a developing device for forming a toner image on the photosensitive surface and electrically recovering toner remaining on the photosensitive surface after image forming operation at the photosensitive surface, a transfer belt 101 having a belt surface which is in contact engagement with the photosensitive surface, and a cleaner S for removing toner attached on the belt surface, wherein the contact angle of the photosensitive surface for water is greater than that of the belt surface for water.

Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus has at least a photoconductor, a charger, and an irradiator for irradiating a light for optically writing in on the photoconductor to form a latent electrostatic image using a process for electrophotography in which a resolution of the optical writing in operation is 1200 dpi or more. Further, the optical writing operation is performed using a laser beam having a diameter of 35 mum or less. The photoconductor is provided with at least a charge generating layer containing a charge generating substance and a charge transporting layer containing a charge transporting substance. The charge transporting layer has a carrier mobility of 1x10<-5 >cm<2>.V<-1>.sec<-1 >or more under an electric field of 3x10<5 >V.cm<-1>.

CROSSLINKING OUTER LAYER AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING THE SAME

The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to an improved low wear overcoat for an imaging member having a substrate, a charge transport layer, and an overcoat positioned on the charge transport layer, and a process for preparing the same including combining a binder, a hole transport molecule, a melamine formaldehyde crosslinking agent and an acid catalyst dissolved in an alcohol solvent to form an overcoat solution, and subsequently providing the overcoat solution onto the charge transport layer to form an overcoat layer.

IMAGING MEMBERS HAVING IMPROVED IMAGING LAYERS

The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to imaging members used in electrostatography. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to electrophotographic imaging members which have imaging layer(s) formulated to comprise of a novel A-B diblock copolymer binder consisting of two segmental blocks of a bisphenol polycarbonate and a phthalic acid which provides chemical vapor contaminant resistive property. The present embodiments provide superior copy printout quality.

Electrophotographic photosensitive member, method for producing the same, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus

An undercoat layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a product having electron transportability and a particle including titanium oxide, and a surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a product of a composition including a hole transporting substance having a polymerizable functional group and a photopolymerization initiator.

Image-Forming Apparatus Having Structure for Stably Supporting Belt Unit

An image-forming apparatus includes a main body, a belt unit detachably attachable to the main body, a coupling and a restricting part. The belt unit includes: a first roller defining an axis extending in an axial direction, a second roller opposing the first roller in a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and a belt looped over the first roller and the second roller. The coupling is configured to move in the axial direction to come into engagement with the first roller for inputting a drive force into the first roller. The restricting part is provided on the main body and is configured to restrict the first roller from moving in a second direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the first direction when the belt unit is attached to the main body. 1. An image-forming apparatus comprising:a main body; a belt;', 'a first roller defining an axis extending in an axial direction and configured to rotate about the axis; and', 'a second roller opposing the first roller in a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the belt being looped over the first roller and the second roller and extending in the first direction;, 'a belt unit attachable to the main body, the belt unit comprisinga coupling configured to move in the axial direction to come into engagement with the first roller for inputting a drive force into the first roller;a photosensitive member configured to be mounted in and removed from the main body, the photosensitive member mounted in the main body being configured to make contact with the belt of the belt unit attached to the main body; andan interlocker provided on the main body and configured to move the coupling in the axial direction to bring the coupling into engagement with the first roller of the belt unit attached to the main body in conjunction with mounting of the photosensitive member in the main body.2. The image-forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the interlocker is further configured to move ...

Electrophotographic image forming apparatus

Provided is a means in which in a tandem type electrophotographic image forming apparatus, image deletion of a formed image is suppressed, passing through of a toner is suppressed, and the lifetime of an organic photoreceptor and the apparatus itself is prolonged. The invention relates to a tandem type electrophotographic image forming apparatus using an organic photoreceptor in which at least a charge generating layer and a charge transfer layer are sequentially laminated on a conductive support body, in which in at least one of combinations of two adjacent image forming units including toners having colors different from each other, a linear pressure P1 of a cleaning blade A included in the image forming unit disposed on an upstream side, and a linear pressure P2 of a cleaning unit blade B included in the image forming unit disposed on a downstream side, satisfy a predetermined relationship.

Electrophotographic photoconductor and electrophotographic apparatus

An electrophotographic photoconductor including a conductive support and a photosensitive layer, wherein the photosensitive layer contains a charge generation agent, a charge transport agent and a binder resin, and wherein the charge generation agent contains an asymmetric disazo pigment represented by General Formula (I), the charge transport agent contains a triphenylamine compound represented General Formula (IX), and the mass ratio of the charge transport agent to the binder resin is 0.3 to 2.0, where R1 and R2 each represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, alkoxy group, aryl group or heterocyclic group, provided that R1 and R2 are different, where R3 to R5 each represent hydrogen, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, which may have a substituent, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, which may have a substituent, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.

Production process of an electrophotosensitive member

Photosensitive member unit and image forming apparatus

A pressing member (138) applies a pressing force to a trailing end of a photosensitive-member unit (21) in a direction (F) which intersects a predetermined reference direction (F1), allowing the pressing force to have both a first component (F1) in the predetermined reference direction (F1) and a second component (F2) perpendicular to the predetermined reference direction (F1). A trailing end is pressed in the predetermined reference direction (F1) by the first component. In the mounted state, the leading end is in contact with the reference member (125) at two contact surfaces including a first contact surface (113) and a second contact surface (114). The first contact surface (113) defines a first positioning direction being perpendicular to the first contact surface (113) and intersecting the predetermined reference direction (F1). The second contact surface (114) defines a second positioning direction being perpendicular to the second contact surface (114) and intersecting both the ...

MIXED SOLVENT PROCESS FOR PREPARING STRUCTURED ORGANIC FILMS

CONDUCTIVE SHEET AND ELECTROSTATIC RECORDING BODY USING IT

PURPOSE: To give uniform surface electric resistivity in a wide area in a semiconductive region and to reduce change with time under the circumstances of air, water vapor, heat, etc., by forming a thin metal oxide layer specified in thickness on at least one side of a conductive layer made of at least one of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, and Ir. CONSTITUTION: A conductive sheet is prepared by laminating an org. polymer sheet A, a 0.5W100nm thick metal oxide thin film B, and a conductive layer C composed essentially of at least one of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, and Ir at least in the order of A/B/C or A/C/B. The sheet A preferably has a surface resistivity of ≥1010, especially ≥1012Ω/square. The layer B is made of one or a mixture of oxides of Ti, Si, In, Sn, Al, Zn, Ta, Zr, W, etc. A preferable surface resistivity of the conductive layer C is within 104W109Ω/square and Pt, Pd, and Rh are especially preferable in respect of uniformity and stability of surface resistivity. COPYRIGHT: (C)1985,JPO&Japio ...

Verfahren zur Vorbehandlung eines organischen Fotorezeptors

KRATZRESISTENTER ORGANISCHER PHOTOREZEPTOR

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBERS

... 1535377 Electro-photographic photosensitive member RICOH CO Ltd 4 March 1976 [5 March 1975] 08623/76 Heading G2X An electro-photographic photo-sensitive member comprises an electrically conductive substrate having one face carrying a photo-conductive layer which is generally of uniform thickness but tapers to zero thickness in the region of at least one edge of the face, the angle of taper (in the use of a rectilinear taper) being not greater than 45 degrees or the maximum angle between said one face and any tangent to the tapered surface (in the case of a curved taper) being not greater than 45 degrees. The photoconductive layer may or may not extend fully to the edge. The taper obviates the formation of black edges during copying and is formed by vapour depositing the photo-conductive layer using a tapered mask at the edges. The substrate is preferably an aluminium drum or an endless belt.

Automatic bias control system for electrophotographic copier

In an optical imaging system for an electrophotographic copier, a photodetector intercepts a portion of unfocused light being reflected toward the photoconductive surface. An electronic circuit generates a biasing voltage for the copier development electrode which varies with the amount of light incident on the photodetector a set time after the photodetector receives a distinctively intense light pulse reflected from a high-reflectivity strip positioned ahead of the document being copied. The time delay insures that the light which determines the bias voltage has been reflected from the main body of the document. The light pulse from the high reflectivity strip can also independently actuate the copy paper feed mechanism to insure proper image registration.

ELECTROSTATOGRAPHIC RECORDING MEMBER

... 1490002 Connection to an electrostatographic member SCOTT PAPER CO 13 Jan 1975 [18 Jan 1974] 1383/75 Heading H2E [Also in Division G2] In an electrostatographic member comprising an insulating support, a conductive interlayer and a photoconductive or dielectric layer, electrical connection is made to the member by two holes therein whose surfaces are coated with conductive lacquer. The member may have a second conductive layer on the back of the support.

ROTARY DRUM SUPPORT APPARATUS

PRECISION MEDIUM HANDLING DEVICE FOR A RECORDER

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC COLOR PROCEDURE.

IN THE ELECTRICALGRAPHIC PROCEDURE OF WORKING NICHTMEACHNI PRINTERS

ELECTROSTATOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION MACHINES

ELECTROSTATOGRAPHIC RECORDING MEMBER WITH COMBINED POSITIONING GROUNDING MEANS

MIXED SOLVENT PROCESS FOR PREPARING STRUCTURED ORGANIC FILMS

A mixed solvent process for preparing structured organic film comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein the structured organic film may be a multi-segment thick structured organic film.

MIXED SOLVENT PROCESS FOR PREPARING STRUCTURED ORGANIC FILMS

A mixed solvent process for preparing structured organic film comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein the structured organic film may be a multi-segment thick structured organic film.

DISMOUNTING AND MOUNTING METHODS FOR COUPLING AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM UNIT

A coupling member dismounting method for dismounting, from a drum flange (21) mounted to an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a coupling member (150) for receiving a rotating force for rotating the drum, the method including (i) an inclining step of inclining the coupling member relative to a rotational axis of the drum flange, wherein the coupling member includes a rotating force receiving member having and a spherical portion (160) mounted to a rear end portion of the rotating force receiving member by a pin penetration (155); (ii) a pin urging step of pushing the pin (155) from one end to the other end thereof, (iii) a pin riding step of making a part of the pin which is further projected at the end by the pin urging step ride on a second surface; (iv) a coupling member dismounting step of dismounting the coupling member from the drum flange by applying a force to a free end portion of the coupling member toward a fulcrum which is the portion of the pin riding on the second surface ...

Support body, for electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge for electrophotographic photoreceptor, and image forming apparatus

用于生产丝网印刷印版的方法和包括一涂覆丝网网膜的丝网印刷印版

... 在一用于生产包括具有乳剂(具体地指光敏乳剂)层的栅格丝网的丝网印刷印版的工艺中，丝网网膜(12a)特别是提供有至少一个涂覆区域(20a)，它由多个单独作用的涂覆区域构成。最为乳剂提供在多个由至少一个喷嘴形成的宽度为(t)的彼此相邻平行布置的涂层条之间。 ...

ASSEMBLY PHOTORECEIVER

Process for removing layers of selenium

ELECTROSTATOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION MACHINE

IMAGE DEVELOPMENT METHODS, HARD IMAGING DEVICES, AND IMAGE MEMBERS

Image development methods, hard imaging devices (10), and image (22) members are described. According to one embodiment, an image development method includes providing an image member (22) comprising a surface (23) having different portions of different electrical conductivities, wherein one of the portions defines an imaging pattern (56) of an image, providing a development agent comprising a plurality of electrically charged image particles (64) and a plurality of electrically charged charge directors (62) over the image member (22), providing an electrical field proximate the image member having the development agent over the image member (22), and using the electrically charged charge directors (62) and the electric field, directing the electrically charged image particles to the one of the portions of the surface (23) of the image member (22) to develop the image.

TONER IMAGING PRINT SYSTEM

In a printing system (100), a first member (102) moves past an imaging station where it receives a dry toner image (200) and contacts a second member (104) to transfer the toner image (200) to the second member (104). The first and second members (102, 104) are each operated isothermally with at least the second member (104) at a temperature T2 higher than the softening temperature of the toner which, in turn, is above the temperature T1 of the first member (102). The first member (102) has a hard abrasion-resistant and preferably smooth surface (102b) with a surface energy under about 20 dynes per centimeter, while the second member (104) is both softer and has a higher surface energy, but still below that of a substrate (107), e.g., paper, and has a thickness and compressibility that allows it to conform.

System for analyzing an organic photoconducting drum and a method thereof

A system for analyzing an organic photo conducting drum includes an identification system, a feature examination system, and an evaluation processing system. The identification system identifies one or more characteristic relating to the organic photo conducting drum. The feature examination system examines one or more features of the organic photo conducting drum. The evaluation processing system provides an analysis of the organic photo conducting drum based on the identified one or more characteristics and the examined one or more features.

Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, an exposure device, and a developing device. A sensor detects a toner image formed by the developing device to output density information, and a supply device supplies developer to the developing device. In addition, a controller controls the supply device on the basis of a detection result of a supply control toner image formed by the exposure device, a storing portion stores the detection result, and an exchange detecting portion detects information for discriminating exchange of the photosensitive member and the developing device. When the developing device is not exchanged but the photosensitive member is exchanged, the controller executes an operation in a mode in which the controller adjusts an exposure condition for forming the supply control toner image by the exposure device after exchange of the photosensitive member.

Image forming apparatus including drum cartridge attachable to drawer and pressing member for pressing drum cartridge attached to drawer downward

An image forming apparatus includes: a housing; a drawer movable between an inner position accommodated within the housing and an outer position exposed to an outside of the housing; a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a drum frame; a developing cartridge; and a pressing member for pressing the drum frame. The drum frame includes: first and second side frames supporting first and second end portions of the photosensitive drum, respectively; and an upper frame connecting upper end portions of the first and second side frames to each other. In a state where the drum cartridge to which the developing cartridge has been attached is attached to the drawer and the drawer is in the inner position, the developing cartridge is positioned between the photosensitive drum and the upper frame, and the pressing member is positioned above the upper frame to press the upper frame downward.

Printing apparatus which grounds photoreceptor independently of CRU

There is disclosed an electrostatographic printing apparatus having (a) a detachable imaging module including a housing and a photosensitive member, wherein the photosensitive member is partially enclosed within the housing, and wherein the photosensitive member has an outer surface which includes an electrically conductive portion; (b) an electrically grounded component free of attachment to the module; and (c) an electrically conductive part, free of attachment to the module, in contact with both the grounded component and the conductive portion on the outer surface of the photosensitive member, thereby establishing grounding of the photosensitive member, and wherein upon removal of the imaging module the part remains in contact with the grounded component and upon insertion of a new detachable imaging module which has a new photosensitive member having an outer surface that includes an electrically conductive portion, the part contacts the electrically conductive portion on the outer ...

IMAGE BEARING MEMBER UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image bearing member unit for use with an image forming apparatus, includes: an image bearing member including a supported portion onto which a lubricant is applied; a supporting member for rotatably supporting the supported portion; a frame for holding the supporting member; and a spacing maintaining portion provided on the frame or the image bearing member. The spacing maintaining portion is disposed outside the supported portion with respect to a radial direction of the image bearing member, and is disposed inside, with respect to a longitudinal direction of the image bearing member, a region where the supporting member supports the supported portion. When the supporting member is not mounted on the frame, the spacing maintaining portion maintains a spacing between the frame and the supported portion in contact with the image bearing member or the frame. 1. An image bearing member unit for use with an image forming apparatus , comprising:an image bearing member including a supported portion onto which a lubricant is applied;a supporting member for rotatably supporting the supported portion of said image bearing member;a frame for holding said supporting member; anda spacing maintaining portion provided on said frame or said image bearing member,wherein said spacing maintaining portion is disposed outside the supported portion with respect to a radial direction of said image bearing member, and is disposed inside, with respect to a longitudinal direction of said image bearing member, a region where said supporting member supports the supported portion, andwherein when said supporting member is not mounted on said frame, said spacing maintaining portion maintains a spacing between said frame and the supported portion in contact with said image bearing member or said frame.2. A unit according to claim 1 , wherein said frame includes an engaging portion for engaging with said supporting member claim 1 , andwherein in a state in which said supporting member is not ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTORECEPTOR, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS

An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer disposed on the conductive substrate. An outermost surface layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor contains fluorine-containing resin particles and a fluorine-containing graft polymer having a fluorinated alkyl group. In an infrared absorption spectrum of the fluorine-containing graft polymer, a ratio of a peak area in a wavenumber range of from 1,020 cm−1 to 1,308 cm−1 to a peak area in a wavenumber range of from 1,673 cm−1 to 1,779 cm−1 is 2.7 or more and 4.8 or less.

Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus

An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive substrate and a single-layer-type photosensitive layer on the conductive substrate. The single-layer-type photosensitive layer contains a binder resin, a charge generating material, an electron transporting material, and a hole transporting material. The single-layer-type photosensitive layer has a concentration ratio (A/B) of 0.7 or more and 1.0 or less, where the concentration ratio (A/B) is a ratio of a concentration A of the electron transporting material relative to the binder resin measured from a surface of the photosensitive layer remote from the conductive substrate to a concentration B of the electron transporting material relative to the binder resin measured from a surface of the photosensitive layer close to the conductive substrate.

Aluminum alloy and process for producing aluminum alloy extrusions

An aluminum alloy has a composition consisting of Si: 0.03 to 0.6 mass %, Fe: 0.1 to 0.7 mass %, Cu: 0.05 to 0.20 mass %, Mn: 1.0 to 1.5 mass %, Mg: 0.01 to 0.1 mass %, Zn: 0 to 0.1 mass %, Ti: 0 to 0.1 mass %, and the balance being Al and inevitable impurities.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus is disclosed, including a movable image bearer bearing an image thereon which is transferred to a recording medium when the image comes into contact with the recording medium; and a twining prevention member which is arranged in the vicinity of the image bearer on the side downstream of a portion of the contact between the recording medium and the image bearer in a moving direction of the image bearer to prevent the recording medium from twining around the image bearer, wherein the twining prevention member includes, in the portion of the contact with the recording medium, a high friction resistance portion which regulates movement of the recording medium.

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC MEMBER, METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE-FORMING DEVICE

An electrophotographic member comprising: a mandrel; and an elastic layer on an outer periphery of the mandrel, the elastic layer containing a polyurethane elastomer including a matrix and domains dispersed in the matrix, a parameter A and a parameter B satisfying a relationship of A Подробнее

INSTALLATION GUIDE

Color electrophotography process

The present invention aims at materialization of reproduction of an image of high quality by the color electrophotography process of the EF system according to a specific procedure of effecting back surface grounding of a photosensitive material sheet comprising a photosensitive layer consisting of titanium dioxide and a specific base sheet comprising a conductive support constituted by a conductive layer laminated on highly smooth surface and a highly specific resistivity base sheet on the basis of a conductive conveyor.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that the toner sticking to an image part of a latent image is stripped by a scavenging effect and therefore the degradation in image quality is resulted if transfer efficiency is attempted to be improved by making the surface friction coefficient of an image carrier lower. SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is equipped with an image carrier 1 which includes at least an organic photoreceptor for forming an electrostatic latent image and has the surface friction coefficient within a range from 0.1 to 0.3 and a developing device 2 as an electrostatic developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier 1 by using a two-component developer including the toner T and a carrier C while conveying the toner T by a progressive wave electric field and therefore the toner sticking to the image carrier is prevented from being stripped off and the image quality is improved. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI ...

PHOTOSENSITIVE BODY GROUNDING DEVICE OF ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC COPYING MACHINE

PURPOSE: To prevent the defect of a contact and damage to a photosensitive body even when the numbers of copies are taken by bringing the tips of plural brush type grounding members made of conductive fibers into contact with the photosensitive body and thus grounding the members. CONSTITUTION: The tip parts of plural grounding members 2 each formed by bundling the conductive fibers 2a in a brush shape are brought into contact with the beltlike photosensitive body 1 and grounded electrically through cables 7. The tip of each conductive fiber 2a is looped, so the photosensitive body 1 is never damaged, and even if the photosensitive body 1 shifts in position laterally or jumps, plural grounding members 2 do not cause defective contact at the same time. Thus, plural grounding members 2 are used, to reduce contacting pressure per member and no defect of grounding due to the damaging of the photosensitive body is caused even in a long-period use. COPYRIGHT: (C)1984,JPO&Japio ...

PICTURE FORMING DEVICE

PURPOSE: To make easy the removal of jammed paper, by enabling to split the device main body and providing incorporatedly the image carrier, image forming means, developing means and print means. CONSTITUTION: When the upper part 26 opens upward, the paper path is compltely open. That is, at the lower device part 27, cassette 13 containing the paper 14, paper guide 16, lower carrier roller 15, separation roller mechanism 27, another paper guide 30, and lower carrier roller 19 are only provided. Thus, when the upper part 26 opens upward, the paper 14 in choke can be directly accessed to remove the paper 14. Further, since the print section 2 is fixed with the upper part 26, jam processing for the sheet of the print section 2 in which sheet choke if often caused, can be made easy. COPYRIGHT: (C)1981,JPO&Japio ...

ABNORMAL STATE DETECTING METHOD OF PHOTOSENSITIVE BODY SURFACE

PURPOSE: To detect a scratch of a photosensitive body, its peeling-off and a thunderbolt, by comparing a reflection level of the surface of a photosensitive body which has been developed, with the first comparison value decided by the lowest value of the reflection level, when energizing a charge, and also, comparing said level with the second comparison value decided by the highest value of the reflection level, when deenergizing the charge. CONSTITUTION: A phototransistor 302 detects and amplifies TRa photodetecting voltage, and inputs it as voltage (a) to the lowest value and highest value holding circuits 321, 322 and high peak detecting comparators 331, 332 through analog gates 311, 322. The comparator 331 and the comparator 332 output the respective high level outputs (e), (d) when light quantity detecting voltage (a) is higher than output voltage (c), and when said voltage (a) is lower than output voltage (b), respectively, input them to light emission diodes 351, 352 from counters ...

接触部材、像保持体、画像形成装置

ELEKTROFOTOGRAFISCHER FOTOREZEPTOR, DESSEN HERSTELLUNGSVERFAHREN UND IDENTIFIZIERUNGSVERFAHREN UND BILDERZEUGUNGSVORRICHTUNG

Bereitgestellt wird ein elektrofotografischer Fotorezeptor 1, umfassend mindestens eine lichtempfindliche Schicht 21 an der äußeren Peripherie eines zylindrischen Substrats 20. Eine oder mehrere bearbeitete Linien 20a sind an einem oder beiden der Endabschnitte in axialer Richtung außerhalb eines Bilderzeugungsbereichs der äußeren peripheren Oberfläche des Substrats 20 entlang der Umfangsrichtung vorgesehen. Ferner wird eine Bilderzeugungsvorrichtung mit dem elektrofotografischen Fotorezeptor bereitgestellt.

Bilderzeugungsgerät

Image forming system and photoconductor having wear indicator

An imaging device (10) is provided that generates and transfers an image to a print media (75). A photoconductor (20, 205) includes a photosensitive surface layer (305) and a wear indicator layer (310) under the surface layer (305). The wear indicator layer (310) is visually distinct from the surface layer (305) so that when the wear indicator layer (310) is exposed, it indicates worn areas of the surface layer (305).

Image-forming apparatus, electrophotographic photoreceptor, and process cartridge

... -61 An image-forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photoreceptor including an outermost layer having a crosslinked structure formed by dehydration condensation of a charge transport monomer containing a hydroxyl group; a charging unit that charges a surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor; a latent-image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor; a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor with a developer containing a toner manufactured by dispersing particles for forming the toner in a solvent containing water and aggregating and heating the particles to form a toner image; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image from the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor onto a transfer medium; and a cleaning unit that removes residual toner from the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor after the transfer ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC METHOD ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC METHOD

REMOVING LAYERS OF SELENIUM

PHOTOCONDUCTOR STORING APPARATUS

In a copier including a photoconductor comprising a web-of photoconductive material, having a plurality of photoconductive reaction connected in series with one another to form an endless strip-type photoconductor, and including suitable instrumentalities for successively feeding the photoconductive sections from a zigzag folded stack of such sections through several processing stations and back to the stack, there is provided apparatus for storing the photoconductive sections in the stack. The storing apparatus includes a receptacle having oppositely disposed walls defining an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The walls relatively converge towards one another from the inlet opening to the outlet opening; for guiding the folds of the photoconductive sections progressively closer to the outlet opening then the mid-portions thereof in transit through the receptacle. a pair of tamping devices, movably mounted on the opposite receptacle walls, cooperate with the receptacle walls for guiding ...

METHOD OF COLOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY

The present invention aims at materialization of reproduction of an image of high quality by the color electrophotography process of the EF system according to a specific procedure of effecting back surface grounding of a photosensitive material sheet comprising a photosensitive layer consisting of titanium dioxide and a specific base sheet comprising a conductive support constituted by a conductive layer laminated on a highly smooth surface and highly specific resistivity base sheet on the basis of a conductive conveyor.

GROUNDING DEVICE FOR MOVING PHOTOCONDUCTOR WEB

An improvement in an electrophotographic copying machine having a movable photoconductor web rotatably mounted on at least a pair of rollers, the web having an insulative support layer, an electrically conductive layer disposed on the support layer, and a photoconductive layer disposed on the electrically conductive layer. The improvement comprises a stationary contact electrically connectable to a fixed electrical potential and slidably in contact with the electrically conductive layer, the stationary contact consisting of a grounding brush having a multiplicity of fibers, each of said fibers comprising a nylon 6 filamentary polymer substrate having finely divided, electrically conductive particles of carbon black suffused through the surface of the filamentary polymer substrate, the electrically conductive particles being present inside the filamentary polymer substrate as a uniformly dispersed phase independent of the phase of the filamentary polymer substrate in an annular region located ...

METHOD OF COLOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY

STRUCTURED ORGANIC FILMS HAVING AN ADDED FUNCTIONALITY

A structured organic film with an added functionality comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein the structured organic film may be a multi-segment thick structured organic film.

Image forming apparatus and process cartridge

Method and apparatus for mounting antishocking parts, antivibrating parts and recovering method and apparatus thereof

Cylindrical member, cylindrical member for image forming apparatus, electrophotographic photoreceptor, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge

The invention provides a cylindrical member, a cylindrical member for an image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic photoreceptor, the image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge. The cylindrical member includes aluminum, and has an average area of crystal particles of an outer circumferential surface which is smaller than an average area of crystal particles of an inner circumferential surface.

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS FORMING METHOD USING ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY

TECHNIQUE FOR MAKING ELECTRICAL GROUND CONTACT WITH THE INTERMEDIATE CONDUCTIVE LAYER OF AN ELECTROSTATOGRAPHIC RECORDING MEMBER

CYLINDRICAL MEMBER, CYLINDRICAL MEMBER FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTORECEPTOR, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE

Dispositivo de carregamento de cinta flexìvel contìnua

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY DEVICE

Embodiments of an electrophotography device (10/60/100/150/175/200/230/250) are disclosed.

Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes a first photosensitive member and a second photosensitive member that form images having different colors, a transfer belt that transfers the images formed on the first photosensitive member and the second photosensitive member onto a recording sheet, a first motor that rotatingly drives the first photosensitive member and the transfer belt, and a second motor that rotatingly drives the second photosensitive member. After the startup process of the first and second motors has been completed, the rotation speed of the second motor is controlled while maintaining the rotation speed of the first motor unchanged so that the second rotation phase of the second photosensitive member rotatingly driven by the second motor is the same as the first rotation phase of the first photosensitive member rotatingly driven by the first motor.

Photosensitive drum and vibration reduction method for same, and photosensitive drum unit

Disclosed is a photosensitive drum that is provided with a structure that can decrease noise-causing vibrations without being accompanied by the addition of new parts. The photosensitive drum ( 2 ) is provided with a tube-shaped conductive base ( 11 ) on the surface of which a photosensitive layer ( 12 ) is formed, and flanges ( 13 ) attached to both ends of the conductive base ( 11 ) by being inserted into said both ends. The end sections ( 13 a ) of the flanges ( 13 ) in the tube-length direction (Z) of the conductive base ( 11 ) contact the inner surface ( 11 a ) of the conductive base ( 11 ) within an electrically-charged region (Le) of the photosensitive layer ( 12 ).

Print apparatus and method of controlling the same, and storage medium and cartridge

A print apparatus having a photosensitive drum used for color printing. In the apparatus, the number of sheets on which color printing has been performed and the number of sheets on which monochrome printing has been performed are obtained. It is determined whether or not the lifetime of the photosensitive drum used for color printing has expired based on a threshold value determined based on the ratio between the number of sheets on which color printing has been performed and the number of sheets on which monochrome printing has been performed and the sum of the number of sheets on which the color printing has been performed and the number of sheets on which the monochrome printing has been performed.

Systems & Methods for Remanufacturing Imaging Components

A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface.

Planetary gear unit and image forming apparatus including same

A planetary gear unit including a sun gear rotatable by torque from a drive source, an outer gear disposed coaxially with the sun gear, multiple planetary gears disposed within the outer gear at equal intervals along an inner circumference of the outer gear to engage the sun gear and the outer gear, a carrier pin to rotatably support each of the multiple planetary gears, and a carrier rotatable coaxially with the sun gear and the outer gear to support both ends of the carrier pin. At least a first end of the carrier pin is constructed of a circular portion and a linear portion to form a first supported part. The carrier includes a first support part that supports the first supported part and is formed to position the circular portion of the first supported part downstream from the linear portion in a direction of rotation of the carrier.

Photosensitive drum unit, assembling method therefor, and disassembling method therefor

A photosensitive drum unit to which a coupling member 200 is easily mounted is provided. A drum flange 250 is fixed to one end portion of a cylinder 20 A having a photosensitive layer at a peripheral surface. The coupling member 200 is inserted into the drum flange 250. Finally, a closing member 230 is mounted to the drum flange 250.

Image Forming Apparatus and Rotating Body Unit

In an image forming apparatus, a rotating body has a follower member that is arranged to confront with a drive member in an axial direction of the drive member. A drive transmitting member transmits drive force from the drive member to the follower member by coupling the drive member and the follower member with each other, while allowing relative positional deviation between the drive member and the follower member on a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the drive member within a prescribed range. The drive member and the follower member have a drive-member side contact part and a follower-member side contact part, respectively. A making-contact member brings the drive-member side contact part and the follower-member side contact part into contact with each other.

Damper device and image forming apparatus

A damper device having: an input member into which a rotary drive force is inputted; an output member which rotates in accordance with the inputted rotary drive force; a columnar viscoelastic member provided between the input member and the output member; a driving-side pressing member which is attached to the input member and which applies a pressing force on one end surface of the viscoelastic member in accordance with the inputted drive force; a passive-side pressing member which is attached to the output member and which receives a pressing force from the other end surface of the viscoelastic member; a first supporting member which supports the driving-side pressing member such that the driving-side pressing member can turn freely relative to the input member; and a second supporting member which supports the passive-side pressing member such that the passive-side pressing member can turn freely relative to the output member.

Image-forming apparatus, electrophotographic photoreceptor, and process cartridge

An image-forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photoreceptor including an outermost layer having a crosslinked structure formed by dehydration condensation of a charge transport monomer containing a hydroxyl group and a developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image on a surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor with a developer containing a toner manufactured by dispersing particles for forming the toner in a solvent containing water and aggregating and heating the particles to form a toner image. The apparatus satisfies at least one of the following conditions: (1) the outermost layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor contains tetrafluoroethylene-containing particles containing a polymer having structural units derived from tetrafluoroethylene; (2) the developer contains tetrafluoroethylene-containing particles containing a polymer having structural units derived from tetrafluoroethylene; and (3) the apparatus further includes a supply unit that supplies tetrafluoroethylene-containing particles containing a polymer having structural units derived from tetrafluoroethylene to the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor.

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.

Driving assembly for photosensitive drum, photosensitive drum assembly, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus

Provided is a photosensitive drum driving assembly, a photosensitive drum assembly, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus. The driving assembly including a supporting body and an engaging protrusion is connected to a drive shaft having a triangular twisted hole to transfer a rotary driving force from an image forming apparatus. The engaging protrusion twistedly protrudes to be inserted into the twisted hole, and includes three or more line contact portions on its cross-section perpendicular to the protrusion direction. The line contact portions are in line-contact with the surface of the twisted hole, and at least one portion of a surface formed by continuously joining the line-contact portions along the protrusion direction is a twisted contact-surface to receive the rotary driving force transferred by the drive shaft.

Electrophotographic photoreceptor, method of producing electrophotographic photoreceptor, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge

An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive substrate; and a photosensitive layer on the conductive substrate, wherein a layer having an outermost surface of the photoreceptor contains a polymer that is formed by polymerizing a crosslinkable charge transport material having an aromatic group and a —CH 2 OH group, and the layer having the outermost surface satisfies the following Formula (1): (Peak 2)/(Peak 1)≦0.05  (1) wherein Peak 1 represents a peak area of an absorption peak (from about 1550 cm −1 to about 1650 cm −1 ) of stretching vibration of an aromatic group, which is obtained when an infrared absorption spectrum of the layer having the outermost surface is measured, and Peak 2 represents a peak area of an absorption peak (from about 1670 cm −1 to about 1710 cm −1 ) of an aromatic aldehyde, which is obtained when the infrared absorption spectrum of the layer having the outermost surface is measured.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A control unit sets a first feedback gain for suppressing an angular speed variation of a first frequency, which causes a misalignment of images to be overlaid with each other, to the first and feedback unit in a first image forming mode in which images formed on the first and the second image carriers are overlaid, and sets a second feedback gain for suppressing an angular speed variation of a second frequency, which causes a periodic uneven density on an image that is to be formed with a uniform density, to the first feedback unit in a second image forming mode in which an image is formed using the first image carrier. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:first and second image carriers on which first and second images are formed;first and second motors that rotate the first and second image carriers respectively;first and second detection units that detect an angular speed or a peripheral speed of each of the first and second image carriers respectively;first and second feedback units that perform a feedback control on the first and second motors respectively according to detection results of the first and the second detection units; anda control unit thatdetermines an image forming mode, andsets a feedback gain of the feedback control performed by the first and second feedback units based on the determined image forming mode,wherein the control unitsets a first feedback gain for suppressing an angular speed variation of a first frequency in a first image forming mode, andsets a second feedback gain for suppressing an angular speed variation of a second frequency in a second image forming mode, the second frequency being different from the first frequency.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein claim 1 ,in the first image forming mode, the first and second images are overlaid, and a multi-color image is formed,in the second image forming mode, a single-color image is formed,the first frequency causes a misalignment of the first and ...

Rotary body driver with planetary gear transmission and image forming apparatus incorporating same

A rotary body driver includes a driving source and a planetary gear transmission to receive a driving force from the driving source. The planetary gear transmission includes a sun gear rotatable by the driving force received from the driving source, a plurality of planet gears meshed with and surrounding the sun gear with an identical interval between the adjacent planet gears, a rotatable carrier to rotatably support the plurality of planet gears, an outer gear encircling and meshed with the plurality of planet gears, and an output shaft combined with and supporting the carrier. A rotary body shaft mounting a rotary body is connected to the output shaft of the planetary gear transmission to transmit the driving force received from the output shaft to the rotary body. The outer gear is made of resin and the output shaft and the carrier are made of metal.

PRINTING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR PRINTING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS

A printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that performs printing using a recording material, and includes a plurality of storage units configured to store a recording material, a reception unit configured to receive designation information for specifying a storage unit to which the recording material is supplied, and a moving unit configured to move the storage unit that the designation information specifies, into a position at which the recording material can be supplied, according to an instruction. 1. A printing apparatus that performs printing using a recording material , the printing apparatus comprising:a plurality of storage units configured to store a recording material;a reception unit configured to receive designation information for specifying a storage unit to which the recording material is supplied, from an external apparatus; anda moving unit configured to move the storage unit that the designation information specifies, into a position at which the recording material can be supplied, according to an instruction.2. A printing apparatus that performs printing using a recording material , the printing apparatus comprising:a plurality of storage units configured to store a recording material;a reception unit configured to receive designation information for specifying a plurality of storage units to which the recording material is supplied, from an external apparatus; anda moving unit configured to move a first storage unit among the plurality of storage units that the designation information specifies, according to an instruction, into a position at which the recording material can be supplied, and after supply of the recording material corresponding to the first storage unit has been performed, to move a second storage unit among the plurality of storage units that the designation information specifies, into the position.3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the moving unit claim 1 , in a case ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, METHOD OF PRODUCING PHTHALOCYANINE CRYSTAL, METHOD OF PRODUCING ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, AND PHTHALOCYANINE CRYSTAL

Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support, in which the photosensitive layer includes a phthalocyanine crystal containing a compound satisfying the following formulae (A) and (B) in itself: 8.9≦δP≦10.7 (A) and −3.2≦L≦−1.5 (B) (in the formula (A), δP represents a polar term of Hansen Solubility Parameters, and in the formula (B), L represents an energy level (eV) of an LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) obtained as a result of structural optimization calculation based on density functional calculation B3LYP/6-31G). 2. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 , wherein the compound comprises at least one kind selected from the group consisting of a condensation polycyclic compound having a hydroxy group or an alkoxy group claim 1 , a polyphenyl compound having a hydroxy group or an alkoxy group claim 1 , and an aromatic ketone compound having a hydroxy group or an alkoxy group.3. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 , wherein the compound comprises at least one kind selected from the group consisting of a condensation polycyclic compound having a hydroxy group claim 1 , a polyphenyl compound having a hydroxy group claim 1 , and an aromatic ketone compound having a hydroxy group.5. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 , wherein the phthalocyanine crystal is a hydroxygallium phthalocyanine crystal.6. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 5 , wherein the hydroxygallium phthalocyanine crystal is a hydroxygallium phthalocyanine crystal having peaks at Bragg angles 2θ±0.2° of 7.4° and 28.3° in CuKα X-ray diffraction.8. The method of producing a phthalocyanine crystal according to claim 7 , wherein the compound comprises at least one kind selected from the group consisting of a condensation polycyclic compound having a hydroxy group or an alkoxy group claim 7 , a polyphenyl ...

Process for preparing structured organic films (sofs) via a pre-sof

A processes for preparing structured organic film (SOF) comprising a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers arranged as a covalent organic framework, wherein the structured organic film may be a multi-segment thick structured organic film.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A image forming apparatus includes: a motor; a mounting unit for receiving a cartridge including a detection target moved by a rotational driving force of the motor; a printing unit; a detecting unit for detecting the detection target at a detection position on a movement trajectory of the detection target; and a control unit for controlling the motor and the detecting unit. The control unit performs: a rotation control process of: accelerating the motor; rotating the motor at a constant speed in a time period when accelerating a rotational speed of the motor up to a target speed; detecting the detection target by the detecting unit while the motor rotates at the constant speed; and accelerating again the motor after completing the detection; and a determining process of determining a kind and/or a state of the cartridge on the basis of the detection result of the detecting unit. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a motor;a mounting unit configured to receive a cartridge mounted therein, the cartridge having a detection target configured to be moved by a rotational driving force of the motor;a printing unit configured to print an image on a sheet using the cartridge;a detecting unit configured to detect the detection target at a detection position on a movement trajectory of the detection target; anda control unit configured to control the motor and the detecting unit, [ accelerating a rotational speed of the motor;', 'rotating the motor at a constant speed in a time period when accelerating the rotational speed of the motor up to a target speed;', 'detecting the detection target by the detecting unit in the state where the motor rotates at the constant speed; and', 'accelerating again the rotational speed of the motor after completing the detection; and, 'a rotation control process of, 'a determining process of determining at least one of a kind of the cartridge and a state of the cartridge on the basis of the detection result of the detecting unit., 'wherein ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus, including: a motor having a winding in which a plurality of coils are connected to one another, the motor configured to rotate an image bearing member by a switchover of a direction of a current flowing through each of the plurality of coils; and a control device configured to switch over the direction of the current flowing through each coil to put a brake on the motor separately from the switchover of the direction of the current flowing through each coil to drive the motor, wherein the control device switches over the direction of the current, according to a brake signal having a period larger than a period of a drive signal for driving the motor, to put a brake on the motor to control a rotation speed of the image bearing member. 1. An image forming apparatus , comprising:a motor having a winding in which a plurality of coils are connected to one another, the motor configured to rotate an image bearing member by a switchover of a direction of a current flowing through each of the plurality of coils; anda control device configured to switch over the direction of the current flowing through each of the plurality of coils of the motor in order to put a brake on the motor separately from the switchover of the direction of the current flowing through each of the plurality of coils in order to drive the motor,wherein the control device switches over the direction of the current flowing through each of the plurality of coils of the motor, according to a brake signal having a period larger than a period of a drive signal for driving the motor, so as to put a brake on the motor in order to control a rotation speed of the image bearing member.2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when an accelerating torque of the motor is obtained according to the drive signal claim 1 , the control device maintains the brake signal until a braking torque of the motor is obtained claim 1 , to switch over the direction of the current ...

ROTATIONAL FORCE TRANSMITTING PART

An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof. A drum flange is provided at one end of the cylinder, with the drum flange including a plurality of projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, and with a space diametrically between the projections. A radially inner part of each projection has an overhang. 157-. (canceled)58. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit comprising:(a) a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof; and(b) a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder, the drum flange including a plurality of projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, with a space diametrically between the projections,wherein a radially inner part of each projection has an overhang.59. A drum unit according to claim 58 , wherein the overhang is provided at an outer end of the projection in a longitudinal direction of the cylinder.60. A drum unit according to claim 59 , further comprising a cover portion provided at an inner end of the projection in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder.61. A drum unit according to claim 58 , wherein the drum flange is provided with further spaces circumferentially between the projections.62. A drum unit according to claim 61 , wherein each further space is a groove parallel to a longitudinal direction of the cylinder.63. A drum unit according to claim 59 , wherein the drum flange is provided with further spaces circumferentially between the projections.64. A drum unit according to claim 63 , wherein each further space is a groove parallel to a longitudinal direction of the cylinder.65. A drum unit according to claim 60 , wherein each projection is projected from an inner surface of the drum flange.66. A drum unit according to claim 65 , further comprising a gear portion provided along an outer surface of the ...

Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus Provided Therewith

A cartridge includes: a frame; a rotation body; a driving force transmission unit; a closing member; and a moving member. The frame is formed with a filling port for filling an internal space of the cartridge with a developing agent therethrough. The closing member is configured to close the filling port. The moving member is configured to be irreversibly moved to one of a covered position and an exposed position by an external driving force transmitted through the driving force transmission unit. The moving member covers at least a portion of the closing member when the moving member is at the covered position. The moving member exposes the closing member when the moving member is at the exposed position. The exposed position provides an exposing degree greater than that at the covered position. 1. A cartridge comprising:a frame defining an internal space for accommodating therein developing agent, the frame being formed with a filling port for filling the internal space with the developing agent therethrough;a rotation body having a rotation axis extending in a predetermined direction, the rotation body being provided at the frame and rotatable about the rotation axis relative to the frame;a driving force transmission unit provided at the frame and configured to transmit an external driving force to the rotation body;a closing member configured to close the filling port; anda moving member configured to be irreversibly moved to one of a covered position and an exposed position by the external driving force transmitted through the driving force transmission unit, the moving member covering at least a portion of the closing member when the moving member is at the covered position, the moving member exposing the closing member when the moving member is at the exposed position, the exposed position providing an exposing degree greater than that at the covered position.2. The cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , wherein one of the covered position and the exposed position ...

Systems and Methods for Remanufacturing Imaging Components

A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface. 1. A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component , the drive gear comprising:a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component;a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; andan element that extends outward from the end surface, wherein the element has six sides.2. The drive gear of wherein element is shaped to engage a helical recess.3. The drive gear of wherein the helical recess is in a drive mechanism of an imaging device.4. The drive gear of wherein at least one side of the element is curved.5. The drive gear of wherein the element has vertices where each of the six sides connects and the element is adapted to engage a helical recess with only three of the vertices contacting the helical recess.7. The imaging apparatus assembly of wherein the at least one element is shaped to engage the helical recess.8. The imaging apparatus of wherein at least one side of the element is curved.9. The imaging apparatus of wherein the element has vertices where one of the six sides contacts another of the six sides and the element is adapted to engage a helical recess with only three of the vertices contacting the helical recess.10. An imaging apparatus assembly comprising:a generally cylindrical imaging component; anda drive gear including a body engaging a generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and at least one element that extends outward from the end surface, wherein the at least one element has six sides.11. The imaging apparatus assembly of wherein the at least one element is shaped to engage a helical recess.12. ...

Short wavelength photoconductive members

There is provided a photoconductive member comprising a conductive support and disposed thereon a charge generating layer. The charge generating layer comprises a first polymer binder and a flaventhrone component having blue wavelength photosensitivity of the following formula: wherein each of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 and R 6 , are the same or different and are independently selected from the group comprising a hydrogen, alkyl, aryl and halogen. A charge transport layer is disposed on the conductive support and comprises tri-p-toylamine and 1,-1-bis(N,N-ditoyl-4-aminophenyl)cyclohexane in a second polymer binder.

DRUM UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING DRUM UNIT

A drum unit has a photosensitive drum, a circular tube member, a housing, and a bearing portion. The photosensitive drum includes a drum sleeve, a flange portion, and a supporting portion. The supporting portion is press-fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the circular tube member made of metal. The sliding surface of the circular tube member is rotatably inserted into the bearing portion attached to the housing of the drum unit. 1. A drum unit comprising:a photosensitive drum including a hollow cylindrical drum sleeve having a surface on which a latent image is formed and bearing a toner image corresponding to the latent image, a flange press-fitted into an end portion of the drum sleeve and rotatably supporting the drum sleeve, and a supporting portion made of resin, protruding from a lateral face of the flange in an axial direction of the drum sleeve, and serving as a rotating shaft for rotation of the drum sleeve;a circular tube member made of metal, extending in the axial direction, and having a first inner peripheral surface forming a space, and a first outer peripheral surface that is opposite from the first inner peripheral surface;a housing rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum;a bearing portion fixed to the housing, having a second inner peripheral surface facing the first outer peripheral surface and forming a space; andthe supporting portion is press-fitted into the first inner peripheral surface of the circular tube member, and the circular tube member is inserted into the second inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion.2. The drum unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first inner peripheral surface of the circular tube member decreases in diameter in a direction in which the supporting portion is press-fitted.3. The drum unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first outer peripheral surface of the circular tube member decreases in diameter in a direction in which the circular tube member is inserted into the bearing portion.4. ...

AMINE COMPOUND, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOCONDUCTOR, IMAGE FORMING METHOD, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE

To provide an amine compound, represented by General Formula (I) below: 4. The electrophotographic photoconductor according to claim 3 , wherein the photoconductive layer includes a charge transport material.8. The electrophotographic photoconductor according to claim 4 , wherein the charge transport material is a polymeric charge transport material.11. The electrophotographic photoconductor according to claim 3 , wherein the electrophotographic photoconductor includes a protective layer on an outermost surface claim 3 , and the protective layer includes the amine compound represented by General Formula (I).12. The electrophotographic photoconductor according to claim 11 , wherein the protective layer includes a filler.13. The electrophotographic photoconductor according to claim 11 , wherein the protective layer includes a resin formed by curing a polymerizable monomer.15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the exposure unit is any one of a laser diode and a light-emitting diode claim 14 , and the electrostatic latent image is digitally written on the electrophotographic photoconductor using the exposure unit. 1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to: an amine compound; an electrophotographic photoconductor including the amine compound; and an image forming method, an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge using the electrophotographic photoconductor.2. Description of the Related ArtIn recent years, development of an information-processing system device using an electrophotographic method is remarkable. In particular, a laser printer and a digital copier, which convert information to digital signals and carry out information recording with light, have improved significantly in terms of their print quality and reliability. Further, through combination with high-speed technology, they have been applied to a laser printer or a digital copier with which a full-color printing is possible. From such a background, to have ...

ROTARY DRIVING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING CONTROL PROGRAM THEREFOR, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A rotary driving apparatus that is capable of controlling a rotational speed correctly even when an anomaly occurs. A drive unit rotates a rotating member. A rotating body is rotated with the rotating member. A detection unit detects scales formed on the rotating body. A calculation unit calculates rotation information about the rotating member based on the detection result by the detection unit. A control value setting unit sets a control value to a predetermined value when the rotation information falls outside a predetermined range and a count of determinations that the rotation information falls outside the predetermined range is smaller than a predetermined count, and sets the control value based on the rotation information when the rotation information falls outside the predetermined range and the count of determinations is larger than the predetermined count. A control unit controls the drive unit based on the set control value. 1. A rotary driving apparatus that drives a rotating member comprising:a drive unit configured to rotate the rotating member;a rotating body configured to be rotated with the rotating member;a detection unit configured to detect scales formed on the rotating body;a calculation unit configured to calculate rotation information about the rotating member based on the detection result by the detection unit;a control unit configured to control the drive unit based on a control value; anda control value setting unit configured to set the control value to a predetermined value when the rotation information falls outside a predetermined range and a count of determinations that the rotation information falls outside the predetermined range is smaller than a predetermined count, and to set the control value based on the rotation information when the rotation information falls outside the predetermined range and the count of determinations that the rotation information falls outside the predetermined range is larger than the predetermined count. ...

ROTARY DAMPER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A plurality of first viscoelastic bodies are disposed in insertion holes of a first rotary member. A plurality of second viscoelastic bodies are disposed in guide holes of a second rotary member. Each of the first and the second viscoelastic bodies has an elastic coefficient changing in accordance with aging due to use. A guide member moves a contact member along the insertion hole and the guide hole. The contact member applies a compressive load to the first viscoelastic body. The aging of the second viscoelastic body due to the compressive load applied thereto moves a position of the first viscoelastic body where the compressive load is received from the contact member toward a farther side from a rotational shaft side. 1. A rotary damper comprising:a first rotator configured to rotate about a rotational shaft;a second rotator configured to rotate about the rotational shaft;at least one first viscoelastic body disposed between the first rotator and the second rotator; anda contact member disposed between the first rotator and the second rotator, and configured to apply a compressive load in a rotation direction about the rotational shaft to the first viscoelastic body while being in contact with the first viscoelastic body so that a torque is transmitted between the first rotator and the second rotator,wherein a contact position of the contact member to the first viscoelastic body is movable.2. The rotary damper according to claim 1 , wherein the contact position moves in a radial direction of the rotational shaft in accordance with passage of time.3. The rotary damper according to claim 1 , wherein the contact position moves in the radial direction of the rotational shaft in accordance with change in a surrounding temperature.4. The rotary damper according to claim 1 ,wherein the first viscoelastic body is disposed on one of the first rotator and the second rotator,wherein the contact member is disposed on the other one of the first rotator and the second rotator ...

Image Forming Apparatus

There is provided an image forming apparatus which includes an body, a feeding tray, a pickup roller, a roller supporting mechanism which supports the pickup roller, a pressing plate which elevates a sheet at the time of sheet feeding, an ascending mechanism which makes the pressing plate ascent, a drive source which is provided to the body, a drive gear, a one-way clutch mechanism which transmits the driving force to the ascending mechanism, a coupling member which moves in conjunction with a vertical movement of the pickup roller, and a transmission-state switching mechanism which is engaged with the coupling member, and which allows or inhibits the transmission of the driving force from the drive gear to the one-way clutch mechanism, in accordance with the movement of the coupling member. 1. An image forming apparatus configured to form an image onto a sheet , comprising:a body;a feeding tray configured to stack a plurality of sheets thereon;a pickup roller configured to contact with an uppermost sheet of the sheets stacked on the feeding tray, from an upper side;a roller supporting mechanism configured to support the pickup roller to be movable in upward and downward directions;a pressing plate swingably provided to the feeding tray and configured to lift up the sheets at the time of feeding the sheets;a lifting mechanism configured to lift the pressing plate;a drive source provided to the body;a drive gear configured to rotate by a driving force transmitted from the drive source;a one-way clutch mechanism configured to rotate only in one direction, and configured to transmit the driving force to the fitting mechanism;a coupling member configured to move in conjunction with a movement of he pickup roller in the upward and downward directions; anda transmission-state switching mechanism engaged with the coupling member, and configured to allow or inhibit the transmission of the driving force from the drive gear to the one-way clutch mechanism, in accordance with ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER

An electrophotographic photosensitive member comprises a charge-transporting layer which is a surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member; wherein the charge-transporting layer has a matrix-domain structure having: a matrix comprising a component β and a component γ, and a domain comprising a component α. 2. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein the content of the siloxane moiety in the charge-transporting layer is not less than 1% by mass and not more than 20% by mass relative to the total mass of whole resin in the charge-transporting layer.3. A process cartridge detachably attachable to a main body of an electrophotographic apparatus claim 1 , wherein the process cartridge integrally supports:{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to ; and'}at least one device selected from the group consisting of a charging device, a developing device, a transferring device, and a cleaning device.4. An electrophotographic apparatus claim 1 , comprising:{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to ; a charging device; an exposing device; a developing device; and a transferring device.'}5. A method of manufacturing the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein the method comprises a step of forming the charge-transporting layer by applying a charge-transporting-layer coating solution on the charge-generating layer and drying the coating solution, andwherein the charge-transporting-layer coating solution comprises:the polyester resin A,at least one resin selected from the group consisting of the polycarbonate resin C and the polyester resin D, andat least one charge-transporting substance selected from the group consisting of the compound represented by the formula (1), the compound represented by the formula (1′), the compound represented by the formula (2), and ...

Clutch mechanism and image forming apparatus with same

A clutch mechanism comprises a planetary gear unit including input transmission, output transmission, and transmission stopping members. Torque entering the input transmission member is outputted downstream of the planetary gear unit by the output transmission member when the transmission stopping member is fixed and is not outputted downstream when the transmission stopping member is unfixed and entering a rotatable state. A rotation prohibiting target has an engaging target and is integral with the transmission stopping member. A rotation prohibiting member has a supporting shaft, a swingable portion at its one end and an engaging portion at its other end to engage the engaging target to enable the transmission stopping member to exert the stopping function. The engaging portion disengages the engaging target to bring the transmission stopping member into an unfixed state. A damper unit absorbs vibration caused in the rotation prohibiting member during a switching operation.

PHOTORECEPTOR, METHOD FOR PREPARING PHOTORECEPTOR, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE USING THE PHOTORECEPTOR

In a photoreceptor including an electroconductive substrate; a photosensitive layer; and a protective layer, the protective layer includes a crosslinked resin having a residual group of a polycarboxylic acid compound and a group having the below-mentioned formula (10), and at least one of a compound having the below-mentioned formula (2) and a compound having the below-mentioned formula (3). 4. The photoreceptor according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one of the compound having formula (2) and the compound having formula (3) is included in the composition in an amount of from 0.5% to 10% by weight based on a weight of the radically polymerizable compound having a charge transport structure.5. The photoreceptor according to claim 3 , wherein each of m and n in formula (1) is independently 1 or 2 claim 3 , and wherein a total of m and n is from 2 or 3.6. The photoreceptor according to claim 3 , wherein the composition further includes a tri- or more-functional radically polymerizable compound having no charge transport structure.7. The photoreceptor according to claim 3 , wherein the radically polymerizable compound having a charge transport structure is a monofunctional radically polymerizable compound.8. The photoreceptor according to claim 1 , wherein the protective layer further includes a filler.9. The photoreceptor according to claim 8 , wherein the filler is an inorganic filler.10. The photoreceptor according to claim 9 , wherein the inorganic filler includes at least one selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide fillers claim 9 , titanium oxide fillers claim 9 , and aluminum oxide fillers.12. An image forming apparatus comprising:{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'the photoreceptor according to ;'}a charger to subject a surface of the photoreceptor to corona charging;an irradiator to irradiate the charged photoreceptor with light to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor;a developing device to ...

DRIVE UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME

A drive unit includes a drive pulley connected to a drive source, a driven pulley connected to a target to be moved, at least one relay pulley for transmitting power from the drive pulley to the driven pulley, a plurality of belts including a first belt entrained around the drive pulley and the relay pulley, and a second belt entrained around the relay pulley and the driven pulley, a first tension application device, and a second tension application device. The first tension application device contacts the first belt to provide tension thereto. The second tension application device contacts the second belt to provide tension thereto. A cyclic speed variation component of the first belt in one rotation period transmitted to the driven pulley via the relay pulley and a speed variation component of the second belt in one rotation period transmitted to the driven pulley counteract each other. 1. A drive unit , comprising:a drive pulley connected to a drive source;a driven pulley connected to a target to be moved;at least one relay pulley to transmit power from the drive pulley to the driven pulley;a plurality of belts entrained around and stretched taut between the drive pulley, the driven pulley, and the relay pulley, the plurality of belts including a first belt entrained around the drive pulley and the relay pulley, and a second belt entrained around the relay pulley and the driven pulley;a first tension application device to contact the first belt to provide tension thereto; anda second tension application device to contact the second belt to provide tension thereto,wherein the first belt and the second belt have a positional relation in a direction of rotation thereof in that a cyclic speed variation component in one rotation period of the first belt transmitted to the driven pulley via the relay pulley and a speed variation component in one rotation period of the second belt transmitted to the driven pulley counteract each other.2. The drive unit according to ...

Rotating part for image forming apparatus, cartridge for forming image, and image forming apparatus

A rotating part for an image forming apparatus includes a drive member for transmitting power; and a driven member that is rotated by the drive member. The drive member has a male part formed in a direction of a rotation axis, and the driven member has a female part that is formed in the direction of the rotation axis and into which the male part is inserted. The male part is a hexagonal male part whose cross section perpendicular to the rotation axis assumes a hexagonal shape. The female part is a twisted triangular female part that assumes a triangular cross sectional profile in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, and a triangle which forms a cross section of a base and a cross section of a top is twisted at a predetermined angle with respect to the rotation axis.

Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus

An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive support, and an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer that are provided in this order on the conductive support, wherein the undercoat layer includes at least metallic oxide particles, a reactive acceptor substance including an anthraquinone structure expressed by the following Formula 1, and a binder resin, the charge generation layer includes hydroxygallium phthalocyanine as a charge generation material, and a reflectance of incident light having a wavelength of 780 nm on a surface of the charge generation layer when the charge transport layer is removed is 17% or greater: wherein the anthraquinone structure expressed by Formula 1 is bonded to another structure at a position of *, and thus forms the reactive acceptor substance, and in Formula 1, n1 represents an integer of 1 to 7.

Additive for electrophotographic photoreceptor, electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus

Provided is an additive for an electrophotographic photoreceptor which is represented by Formula (I): wherein, A represents an m-valent organic group derived from arylamine represented by Formula (II) or Formula (III); T represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Rf represents a branched hydrocarbon group having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms in which at least one hydrogen atom is substituted with a fluorine atom; 1 represents 0 or 1; and m represents an integer of 1 to 4: wherein, Ar 1 , Ar 2 , and Ar 3 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms; Ar 4 , Ar 5 , Ar 6 , and Ar 7 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms; and X represents a divalent organic group represented by Formula (IV), Formula (V), or Formula (VI):

Image Forming Apparatus

An image forming apparatus including a drive source, a rotating body, a processing unit, and a joint to switch transmission and disconnection of the driving force by moving along an axial direction, is provided. The joint is rotatable by the driving force transmitted from the rotating body in a coaxial position with respect to the rotating body and switches transmission and disconnection of the driving force by moving along the axial direction. The rotating body includes an input rotating body, which is subject to the driving force input in the rotating body and rotatable by the driving force, and an output rotating body, which is arranged coaxially with respect to the input rotating body and rotatable integrally with the input roller to output the driving force. The rotating body provides accommodating space, which accommodates at least a part of the joint when the joint is separated from the processing unit. 1. An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet , comprisinga drive source attached to a body of the image forming apparatus and configured to generate driving force;a rotating body arranged on the body of the image forming apparatus and configured to be rotated by the driving force supplied from the drive source;a processing unit comprising an operable member and detachably attached to the body of the image forming apparatus, the operable member being driven by the driving force transmitted from the rotating body; anda joint configured to switch transmission and disconnection of the driving force from the rotating body to the processing unit by moving along an axial direction of the rotating body between a first position, in which the joint is engaged with the processing unit, and a second position, in which the joint is separated from the processing unit,wherein the joint is rotatable by the driving force transmitted from the rotating body in a coaxial position with respect to the rotating body and switches transmission and disconnection ...

Image Forming Apparatus

Provided is an image forming apparatus provided with an image forming unit. The image forming apparatus includes a movable member configured to be displaced relative to an apparatus main body; a cover configured to be displaced between a position where an opening portion provided on the apparatus main body is opened and a position where the opening portion is closed; a link that displaces the movable member in conjunction with the cover; a driving pulley and a driven pulley; and an endless belt that is looped around and stretched between the driving pulley and the driven pulley and transmits a driving force from the driving pulley to the driven pulley. The belt overlaps with the link in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the driving pulley. 1. An image forming apparatus provided with an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet , the image forming apparatus comprising:a movable member configured to be displaced relative to an apparatus main body;a cover configured to be displaced between a position where an opening portion provided on the apparatus main body is opened and a position where the opening portion is closed;a link that transmits displacement of the cover to the movable member and displaces the movable member in conjunction with the cover;a driving pulley and a driven pulley, whose rotational axes are arranged parallel to each other; andan endless belt that is looped around and stretched between the driving pulley and the driven pulley and transmits a driving force from the driving pulley to the driven pulley, the belt overlapping with the link in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the driving pulley.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the link extends in a direction that intersects with a stretching portion of the belt when viewed from the direction parallel to the rotational axis of the driving pulley.3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , comprising:a driving rotary unit that is ...

Electrically conductive member, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus

An electrically conductive member for electrophotography is provided which has an electrically conductive mandrel and an electrically conductive layer on the peripheral surface of the mandrel; the electrically conductive layer containing a binder resin having as an ion exchange group a sulfo group or a quaternary ammonium salt group in the molecule and an ion with a polarity opposite to that of the ion exchange group; the binder resin further having any structure selected from the group consisting of structures represented by formulas (1)-1 to (1)-3, and any structure selected from the group consisting of structures represented by formulas (2)-1 and (2)-2, and having a molecular structure that prevents any matrix-domain structure from being formed in the electrically conductive layer.

Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes a housing; a driving portion provided in the housing and configured to generate a driving force; an interchangeable member interchangeably provided in the housing and having a driving-force-receiving portion at which the driving force is received, the interchangeable member being configured to rotate by receiving the driving force at the driving-force-receiving portion; a driving-force-transmitting portion provided in the housing and connecting the driving portion and the interchangeable member to each other, the driving-force-transmitting portion being configured to transmit the driving force from the driving portion to the interchangeable member; and a connecting-and-disconnecting mechanism that allows the driving force to be transmitted between the driving portion and the driving-force-transmitting portion when the interchangeable member rotates, and prevents the driving force from being transmitted between the driving portion and the driving-force-transmitting portion when the interchangeable member is to be attached to the housing.

State determining device, image processing apparatus, state determining method, and computer program product

A state determining device includes a current detecting unit, a state determining unit, and a notifying unit. The current detecting unit detects a current value of a drive current which flows into a drive motor that rotary-drives a driven unit with a drive force according to the drive current. Based on the drive current value detected by the current detecting unit, the state determining unit determines a state of a driving system including the driven unit. The notifying unit notifies a user of a determination result of the state determining unit.

ELECTRO-CONDUCTIVE MEMBER FOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS

An electro-conductive member for electrophotography, including an electro-conductive mandrel and an electro-conductive layer; and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus using the same. The layer contains a binder resin having a sulfo or a quaternary ammonium group as an ion exchange group, and an ion opposite in polarity to the ion exchange group. The resin has any one of structures represented by formulas (1)-1 and (1)-2, and any one of structures represented by formulas (2)-1 to (2)-3; and the resin has a molecular structure preventing occurrence of a matrix-domain structure. M represents an integer of 2-20, n represents an integer of 5-50, p represents an integer of 1-25, q represents an integer of 1-15, and r represents an integer of 1-12. 5. The electro-conductive member according to claim 1 , wherein:the binder resin has at least the structure represented by the chemical formula (2)-1; anda content of the structure in the binder resin is 30 mass % or less.6. The electro-conductive member according to claim 1 , wherein the binder resin has at least the structure represented by the chemical formula (2)-2 or the chemical formula (2)-3.7. The electro-conductive member according to claim 1 , wherein the ion exchange group comprises a quaternary ammonium group and the ion opposite in polarity comprises a sulfonylimide ion.8. The electro-conductive member according to claim 2 , wherein: the binder resin contains a structure obtained by linkingthe structure represented by the chemical formula (1)-1 andthe structure represented by the chemical formula (2)-3 with a linking group containing any structure selected from the group consisting of the structures represented by the chemical formula (3)-1 to the chemical formula (3)-4.9. A process cartridge claim 1 , comprising the electro-conductive member according to claim 1 , wherein the process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main body of an electrophotographic apparatus.10. An electrophotographic ...

STRUCTURAL MEMBER, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND DRIVE TRANSMITTING MECHANISM

Provided is a structural member including an image holding member that holds a latent image, a developing member that develops the latent image, a first driven side coupling portion that is connectable to a first driving side coupling portion and transmits a driving force to the image holding member, and a second driven side coupling portion that is connectable to a second driving side coupling portion and transmits the driving force to the developing member, wherein the first driven side coupling portion includes a first engaged portion that is engaged with a first engaging portion provided on the first driving side coupling portion at no more than two engagement places, and the second driven side coupling portion includes a second engaged portion that is engaged with a second engaging portion provided on the second driving side coupling portion at three or more engagement places. 1. A structural member comprising:an image holding member that holds a latent image while being rotated;a developing member that develops the latent image which is held by the image holding member while being rotated;a first driven side coupling portion that is connectable to a first driving side coupling portion and transmits a driving force to the image holding member, being driven by the first driving side coupling portion; anda second driven side coupling portion that is connectable to a second driving side coupling portion and transmits the driving force to the developing member, being driven by the second driving side coupling portion,wherein the first driven side coupling portion includes a first engaged portion that is engaged with a first engaging portion which is provided on the first driving side coupling portion at no more than two engagement places, andwherein the second driven side coupling portion includes a second engaged portion that is engaged with a second engaging portion which is provided on the second driving side coupling portion at three or more engagement places.2 ...

PROCESS CARTRIDE AND ELECTROSTATIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An electrophotographic photosensitive drum includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer formed thereon, with the cylinder being rotatable about an axis thereof. A drum flange is provided at a longitudinal end of the cylinder, with the drum flange including (i) a gear encircling a peripheral portion of the drum flange, (ii) a hollow portion, provided inside of the drum flange having an opening disposed on a side of the drum flange opposite from the cylinder, and (iii) a rim provided between the gear and the cylinder in a longitudinal direction of the cylinder and projected more radially-outward of the drum flange than a peripheral portion of the cylinder. 120.-. (canceled)21. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum comprising:a cylinder having a photosensitive layer formed thereon, the cylinder being rotatable about an axis thereof; anda drum flange provided at a longitudinal end of the cylinder, said drum flange including (i) a gear encircling a peripheral portion of the drum flange, (ii) a hollow portion, provided inside of the drum flange having an opening disposed on a side of the drum flange opposite from the cylinder, and (iii) a rim provided between the gear and the cylinder in a longitundinal direction of the cylinder and projected more radially-outward of the drum flange than a peripheral portion of the cylinder.22. A photosensitive drum according to claim 21 , wherein the rim is projected more radially-outward of the drum flange than the gear.23. A photosensitive drum according to claim 21 , wherein the hollow portion includes a space provided at a center of the drum flange as seen in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum claim 21 , and grooves diametrically interpose the space as seen in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum.24. A photosensitive drum according to claim 22 , wherein the hollow portion includes a space provided at a center of the drum flange as seen in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive ...

Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes a positively-charged single layer type electrophotographic photoreceptor, a charging device with a contact charging roller for charging a surface of the photoreceptor and an exposure device for exposing the charged surface of the photoreceptor to light to form an electrostatic latent image thereon. A developing device develops the electrostatic latent image into a toner image and a transfer device transfers the toner image to a transferred body. The charging roller is made of electrically conductive rubber having an Asker-C rubber hardness of 62 to 81°. A roller surface roughness of the charging roller has an average distance (Sm) between asperity peaks on a cross-sectional curve of 55 to 130 μm and that a ten-point average roughness (Rz) is 9 to 19 μm. The image forming apparatus is capable of preventing carrier trapping, film peeling and uneven charging in the photoreceptor.

Photosensitive drum and image forming apparatus having the same

A photosensitive drum has a drum sleeve and a pair of drum flanges. At least one of the pair of drum flanges each has a flange part, a retaining part, and a linking part. The flange part is fitted to the drum sleeve. The retaining part, which is located inward of the flange part in the axial direction of the drum sleeve, pivotably supports a shaft that rotates the photosensitive drum. Openings are formed between the flange part and the retaining part in a direction intersecting the axial direction. An air flow enters the interior of the photosensitive drum from the openings.

IMAGE FORMATION UNIT AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS

An image formation unit includes a first unit rotatably supporting an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed, and a second unit rotatably supporting a developer carrier configured to develop the electrostatic latent image with a developer. The first unit includes a first engagement portion formed at one end in the direction of the rotational axis of the image carrier, and a second engagement portion provided at a predetermined distance from the first engagement portion at the one end side. The second unit includes a first engaged portion engaged with the first engagement portion, a second engaged portion engaged with the second engagement portion, and a drive input portion provided between the first and second engaged portions and configured to rotate the developer carrier. 1. An image formation unit , comprising:a first unit rotatably supporting an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed; anda second unit rotatably supporting a developer carrier configured to develop the electrostatic latent image with a developer, wherein a first engagement portion formed at one end in a direction of a rotational axis of the image carrier; and', 'a second engagement portion provided at a predetermined distance from the first engagement portion at the one end side, and, 'the first unit includes a first engaged portion engaged with the first engagement portion;', 'a second engaged portion engaged with the second engagement portion; and', 'a drive input portion provided between the first and second engaged portions and configured to rotate the developer carrier., 'the second unit includes2. The image formation unit according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement of the first engagement portion and first engaged portion and the engagement of the second engagement portion and second engaged portion are configured to limit a rotation of the second unit about a rotational axis of the drive input portion with respect to the first ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS

An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes an undercoat layer having a structure represented by formula (). 2. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein the undercoat layer comprises a cured product having the structure represented by formula (1).4. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,{'sup': '2', 'wherein Drepresents a group having 10 to 15 main-chain atoms and being represented by the formula (D).'}5. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein, in formula (D),{'sup': 4', '5', '6', '7, 'R, R, R, and Reach independently represent an alkylene group having 1 to 5 main-chain atoms and being substituted with a methyl group, an alkylene group having 1 to 5 main-chain atoms and being substituted with an ethyl group, or an alkylene group having 1 to 5 main-chain atoms.'}6. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein, in formula (D),{'sup': 1', '2, 'Arand Areach represent a phenylene group.'}7. A process cartridge detachably attachable to a main body of an electrophotographic apparatus claim 1 , wherein the process cartridge integrally supports:{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to , and'}at least one device selected from the group consisting of a charging device, a developing device, a transferring device, and a cleaning device.8. An electrophotographic apparatus comprising:{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to ;'}a charging device;an exposure device;a developing device; anda transferring device. 1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge that includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an electrophotographic apparatus.2. Description of the Related ArtPresently, the mainstream electrophotographic ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS

An electrophotographic photosensitive member has a laminated body and a hole transporting layer formed on the laminated body, wherein the laminated body has a support, an electron transporting layer and a charge generating layer in this order, and satisfies the following expressions (2) and (4): 2. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 , wherein the electron transporting layer has a thickness d1 of 0.2 μm or more and 0.7 μm or less.3. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 , wherein in the expression (2) claim 1 , |Vl2−Vl1| satisfies the following expression (9):{'br': None, 'i': Vl', '−Vl, '|21|≦0.28\u2003\u2003(9).'}4. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 , wherein in the expression (4) claim 1 , |(Vd2−Vl3)/Vd2| satisfies the following expression (10):{'br': None, 'i': Vd', '−Vl', 'Vd, '0.10≦|(23)/2|≦0.16\u2003\u2003(10).'}5. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 , wherein the electron transporting layer comprises a polymer obtained by polymerizing a composition comprising an electron transporting substance having a polymerizable functional group claim 1 , a thermoplastic resin having a polymerizable functional group claim 1 , and a crosslinking agent.6. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 5 , wherein the crosslinking agent has 3 to 6 groups of an isocyanate group claim 5 , a blocked isocyanate group or a monovalent group represented by —CH—OR(Rrepresents an alkyl group).7. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 5 , wherein the electron transporting substance having a polymerizable functional group has a content of 30% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less with respect to the total mass of the composition.8. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 , wherein the charge generating layer comprises at least one charge generating substance selected from the group ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS

An electron transporting layer is a cured layer including carbon atoms, nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms. When ratios of the number of carbon atoms, ratios of the number of nitrogen atoms, and ratios of the number of oxygen atoms are analyzed at 10 points by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ESCA), the respective standard deviations, σ(C), σ(N) and σ(O), of the ratios of the number of carbon atoms, the ratios of the number of nitrogen atoms and the ratios of the number of oxygen atoms satisfy the following expressions (1) to (3): 1. An electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising:a support;an electron transporting layer formed on the support; anda photosensitive layer formed on the electron transporting layer, [{'br': None, 'σ(C)≦1.5\u2003\u2003(1),'}, {'br': None, 'σ(N)≦1.5\u2003\u2003(2),'}, {'br': None, 'and'}, {'br': None, 'σ(O)≦1.5\u2003\u2003(3),'}], 'the electron transporting layer satisfies the following expressions (1) to (3), 'wherein the electron transporting layer is a cured layer comprising carbon atoms, nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms; and'} σ(C) represents a standard deviation of 10 values of a ratio (atomic %) of the number of carbon atoms based on the number of all atoms except hydrogen atoms in the electron transporting layer, the 10 values being obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ESCA) at 10 points;', 'σ(N) represents a standard deviation of 10 values of a ratio (atomic %) of the number of nitrogen atoms based on the number of all atoms except hydrogen atoms in the electron transporting layer, the 10 values being obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ESCA) at 10 points; and', 'σ(O) represents a standard deviation of 10 values of a ratio (atomic %) of the number of oxygen atoms based on the number of all atoms except hydrogen atoms in the electron transporting layer, the 10 values being obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ESCA) at 10 points,', 'the 10 points consisting of an upper end point and a lower end ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, AND IMIDE COMPOUND

An undercoat layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a polymerized product of a composition that contains an isocyanate compound having a specific structure, a resin having a specific structure, and an electron transporting substance having a specific structure. 2. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein, in formula (A),α represents the alkylene group having 1 to 6 main-chain atoms, the alkylene group having 1 to 6 main-chain atoms and substituted with the alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, the alkylene group having 1 to 6 main-chain atoms and substituted with the benzyl group, the alkylene group having 1 to 6 main-chain atoms and substituted with the alkoxycarbonyl group, or the alkylene group having 1 to 6 main-chain atoms and substituted with the phenyl group,{'sup': 19', '19, 'one of the carbon atoms in the main chain of the alkylene group may be replaced with O, NH, or NR, Rrepresenting an alkyl group.'}3. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein the isocyanate compound has a cyclic structure.4. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 3 ,wherein the cyclic structure is an isocyanurate structure.5. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein the resin having a repeating structural unit represented by formula (B) is a polyvinyl acetal resin.6. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein the molecular weight of the electron transporting substance is 150 to 1000.7. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein the ratio of the isocyanate compound to the electron transporting substance is 3/20 to 50/20 by the molecular weight.8. A method for producing the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:forming a coating film by using a coating solution for forming an undercoat layer, the coating ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS

An undercoat layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a polymerized product of (cured material) a composition that contains a particular crosslinking agent, a particular resin, and a particular charge transporting substance. 3. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein the molecular weight of the electron transporting substance is from 150 to 1000.4. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein the weight average molecular weight of the resin is from 5,000 to 400,000.5. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 4 ,wherein the weight average molecular weight of the resin is from 5,000 to 300,000.6. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein the (i) is at least one selected from the group consisting of the compound represented by formula (C1), the compound represented by formula (C2), the compound represented by formula (C3), the compound represented by formula (C4), and the compound represented by formula (C5), andthe molecular weight of the (i) is from 150 to 1000.7. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein the (i) is at least one selected from the group consisting of the compound represented by formula (C1), the compound represented by formula (C2), the compound represented by formula (C3), the compound represented by formula (C4), and the compound represented by formula (C5), and{'sup': 11', '16', '22', '25', '31', '34', '41', '44', '51', '54', '1, 'sub': '2', 'in formulae (C1) to (C5), at least three of the Rto R, at least three of the Rto R, at least three of the Rto R, at least three of the Rto R, and at least three of the Rto Rare each the monovalent group represented by —CH—OR.'}8. A method for producing the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:forming a coating film by using a coating solution for an undercoat layer, the ...

Photosensitive-Member Unit And Image Forming Apparatus

A pressing member applies a pressing force to a trailing end in a direction which intersects a predetermined reference direction, allowing the pressing force to have both a first component in the predetermined reference direction and a second component perpendicular to the predetermined reference direction. A trailing end is pressed in the predetermined reference direction by the first component. In the mounted state, the leading end is in contact with the reference member at two contact surfaces including a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The first contact surface defines a first positioning direction being perpendicular to the first contact surface and intersecting the predetermined reference direction. The second contact surface defines a second positioning direction being perpendicular to the second contact surface and intersecting both the predetermined reference direction and the first positioning direction, allowing the photosensitive-member unit to be positioned with respect to the main body. 1a casing;a shaft extending in an axial direction;a pressing member provided on the casing; anda photosensitive-member unit configured to move in a moving direction orthogonal to the axial direction, the photosensitive-member unit including:a photosensitive member having an end in the axial direction; anda side plate having a front end and a rear end in the moving direction, the rear end being formed of a notched portion which is configured to contact the shaft, the side plate including a positioning portion that protrudes from adjacent to the front end and is configured to contact the pressing member.. An image forming apparatus comprising: This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/238,683, filed Sep. 21, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/820,765, filed Jun. 22, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,045,883, issued Oct. 25, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/417,285, filed Apr. 2, ...

PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM DRIVING HEAD AND DRIVING MECHANISM OF IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

The invention relates to a photosensitive drum driving head, which comprises drum flange, drum shaft and boss, wherein the drum flange is disposed on the end portion of a photosensitive drum and connected with the photosensitive drum; the drum shaft is axially extended from the end portion of the drum flange; the boss is axially extended from the end face of the drum shaft and engaged with a recess in a driving head of image forming apparatus; three vertical convex teeth radially extended along the boss and engaged with power transmission portions are formed on side wall of the boss, perpendicular to the drum shaft, extended along an axial line of the photosensitive drum, and provided with mating surfaces formed by longitudinal cutting angles on end faces of the vertical convex teeth; at least one mating surface is engaged with an edge of a twisted bevel of the recess. 1. A photosensitive drum driving head for a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus , engaged with a driving head of the image forming apparatus for power transmission , the driving head of the image forming apparatus comprising a twisted recess and power transmission portions provided with twisted bevels having edges engaged with the photosensitive drum driving head , the photosensitive drum driving head comprising:a drum flange disposed on the end portion of a photosensitive drum and connected with the photosensitive drum;a drum shaft axially extended from the end portion of the drum flange; anda boss axially extended from the end face of the drum shaft and engaged with the twisted recess, wherein at least one convex tooth, radially extended along the boss and engaged with the power transmission portion, formed on the side wall of the boss; andthe convex tooth provided with a first side face and a second side face being a graded bevel gradually varied towards the root of the convex tooth along the end portion of the convex tooth.2. The photosensitive drum driving head according to claim 1 , ...

Image forming apparatus

Based on a photosensitive drum life threshold value when each of the plurality of image formation execution modes is independently used, and a photosensitive drum life threshold value according to a usage rate of each of the image formation execution modes, the image forming apparatus having a plurality of image formation execution modes calculates a photosensitive drum life threshold value according to the usage rate. Then, the image forming apparatus compares the calculated photosensitive drum life threshold value with a remaining CT film thickness prediction value for the photosensitive drum to determine the life of the photosensitive drum.

PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE

An image forming device, including a cylindrical photoreceptor drum, an end member having a tubular body which is mounted at an end portion of the photoreceptor drum and which has an outer circumferential surface serving as a sliding surface, and a bearing configured to have a hole which defines an inner peripheral surface that corresponds to a sliding surface, the bearing supporting the tubular body of the end member by inserting the tubular body into the hole, wherein a difference between an outside diameter of a part provided with the sliding surface of the end member and a diameter of the hole of the bearing is equal to or more than 0.06 mm and equal to or less than 0.5 mm. 1. A process cartridge , comprising:a cylindrical photoreceptor drum;a member having a tubular body which is mounted at an end portion of the photoreceptor drum and which has an outer circumferential surface serving as a sliding surface; anda bearing configured to have a hole which defines an inner peripheral surface that faces the sliding surface, the bearing supporting the tubular body of the member by inserting the tubular body into the hole, whereina difference between an outside diameter of a part provided with the sliding surface of the member and a diameter of the hole of the bearing is equal to or more than 0.06 mm and equal to or less than 0.5 mm.2. The process cartridge according to claim 1 , whereinthe sliding surface of the member has an arithmetic average roughness (Ra) in one direction being equal to or more than 0.5 μm.3. The process cartridge according to claim 2 , whereina kurtosis (Ku) of the sliding surface of the member is equal to or less than 2.8.4. The process cartridge according to claim 1 , whereinat least one of the sliding surface of the member and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing has an axial inclination.5. A member having a tubular body which is mounted at an end portion of a photoreceptor drum claim 1 , and which has an outer peripheral surface serving ...

DRIVE TRANSMISSION DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS

A drive transmission device includes a first coupling member to be coupled to a drive shaft and including a first contact surface, a second coupling member to be coupled to a driven shaft and including a second contact surface, and an intermediate coupler disposed between the first and second coupling members. The intermediate coupler includes: a first intermediate contact surface opposed to the first contact surface and contacting the first contact surface with a first rolling member interposed in between; and a second intermediate contact surface opposed to the second contact surface and contacting the second contact surface with a second rolling member interposed in between. One of the contact surfaces and a corresponding one of the intermediate contact surfaces are formed point-symmetrically with respect to the center of a corresponding one of the rolling members. 1. A drive transmission device comprising:a first coupling member capable of being coupled to a drive shaft to be rotatable integrally with the drive shaft, and including a first contact surface;a second coupling member capable of being coupled to a driven shaft to be rotatable integrally with the driven shaft, and including a second contact surface; and a first intermediate contact surface opposed to the first contact surface and contacting the first contact surface with a first rolling member interposed in between, such that rotation of the first coupling member is transmitted to the intermediate coupler while the intermediate coupler is radially movable relative to the first coupling member, and', 'a second intermediate contact surface opposed to the second contact surface and contacting the second contact surface with a second rolling member interposed in between, such that rotation of the intermediate coupler is transmitted to the second coupling member while the intermediate coupler is radially movable relative to the second coupling member, and, 'an intermediate coupler disposed between the ...

Methods and devices for remanufacturing printer cartridge components

A method for remanufacturing a printer cartridge component is provided. The method provides a printer cartridge component having an assembled organic photoconductor (OPC) drum with a flange portion and a cylinder portion. The flange portion has a cylinder engagement end attached and inserted in a locked position with a flange lock in a first end of the cylinder portion. The method further unlocks the flange lock so that the flange portion is in an unlocked position in the first end of the cylinder portion. The method further secures the unlocked flange portion. The method further removes the cylinder portion from the secured unlocked flange portion to obtain a removed cylinder portion and a removed flange portion. The method further assembles the removed flange portion with a replacement OPC drum cylinder portion to obtain a remanufactured printer cartridge component.

DRIVING FORCE TRANSMISSION MECHANISM FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESSING CARTRIDGE

The present invention provides a driving force transmission mechanism for an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge. The transmission mechanism includes a photosensitive drum driving component () and an image forming apparatus driving head (). The driving component () includes a drum shaft () which axially projects from an end of a photosensitive drum () and a boss () which axially projects from an end surface of the drum shaft (). A tooth () is obliquely arranged on a side wall () of the boss and projects in a radial direction. The driving head () includes a recess () with a twisted-surface and matching with the boss (), the recess has a polygonal cross section with a twisted corner section. The process cartridge includes the driving component. The photosensitive drum driving component is easy to manufacture and is not easy to be damaged when using for a long time. 110201112121610. A photosensitive drum driving component () , for receiving driving force from an image forming apparatus driving head () including a recess () with three twisted-surfaces () , each of the twisted-surfaces () having an edge () , the photosensitive drum driving component () including:{'b': 2', '1', '1, 'a drum gear () provided at an end of a photosensitive drum () and connected to the photosensitive drum ();'}{'b': 3', '2, 'a drum shaft () which axially projects from the drum gear () and rotatably supports the photosensitive drum during operation; and'}{'b': 4', '3, 'a boss () which axially projects from an end surface of the drum shaft (), wherein{'b': 5', '5', '4', '4', '5', '4', '5', '4, 'i': a', 'b', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'b', 'b, 'a first tooth () and a second tooth () are arranged on a side wall () of the boss (), the first tooth () being obliquely arranged on the side wall () of the boss, and the second tooth () projecting from the side wall () in an radial direction of the boss; and'}{'b': 5', '12', '11', '5, 'i': a', 'b, 'the first tooth () is adapted to be engaged with one of ...

End portion member, photosensitive drum unit and process cartridge

A bearing member engageable and disengageable from a recessed portion of an image forming apparatus body is included. While the bearing member is engaged into the recessed portion, a cross-sectional area occupancy ratio which is a degree of area occupied by a cross-section of the bearing member to a cross-section of the recessed portion is 15% or higher and 75% or less. An outer peripheral shape of the bearing member in a cross-section is a hexagon, and assuming that a radius of a circumscribed circle of the hexagon is r 1g , and when a hexagon is formed by sides enclosed by a triangle formed at an opening of the recessed portion when the recessed portion is viewed from a front in the axial direction and a triangle formed at a bottom of the recessed portion, a radius of an inscribed circle of the hexagon is r 2h , r 1g −r 2h >0.

Control of photoreceptor belt detensioning cycles using extended slower belt rotation

A processor places a printer apparatus in a reduced activity mode after printing requests have not been received for an “inactivity” time period. A belt support device rotates a photoreceptor belt at a reduced speed when the printer apparatus enters the reduced activity mode and for a “delay” time period after the printer apparatus enters the reduced activity mode. The belt support device returns the rotational speed of the photoreceptor belt to the original speed if a new printing request is received during the delay time period. However, the belt support device stops rotation of the photoreceptor belt and reduces the belt tension if the delay time period expires without receiving a new printing request.

ROTATING-BODY DRIVING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A rotating-body driving device comprising: a rotating body; a driving source; a reduction gear that includes an output shaft and a gear rotating at a non-integer ratio of rotation period to a rotation period of the output shaft, and the reduction gear reducing rotation speed of the driving source; a pulse-signal generating unit; a pulse-count storage unit; a speed-fluctuation storage unit that stores therein a rotation speed fluctuation of the output shaft; and a driving-source control unit, wherein the driving-source control unit detects the speed fluctuation information associated with the accumulated number of pulse signals from the speed-fluctuation storage unit, and performs for the driving source a feedforward control to set off the rotation speed fluctuation. 1. A rotating-body driving device comprising:a rotating body;a driving source that generates a driving force for rotating the rotating body;a reduction gear that includes an output shaft connected to the rotating body and a gear rotating at a non-integer ratio of rotation period to a rotation period of the output shaft, and the reduction gear reducing rotation speed of the driving source with the gear and transmitting the driving force to the rotating body via the output shaft;a pulse-signal generating unit that generates a pulse signal associated with the number of revolutions of the output shaft;a pulse-count storage unit that accumulates and stores therein the number of pulse signals generated by the pulse-signal generating unit;a speed-fluctuation storage unit that stores therein a rotation speed fluctuation of the output shaft occurring every rotation period of the gear as speed fluctuation information associated with the number of pulse signals; anda driving-source control unit that controls the driving source, whereinthe driving-source control unit detects the speed fluctuation information associated with the accumulated number of pulse signals from the speed-fluctuation storage unit on the basis ...

Driving device and image forming apparatus provided with same

A driving device includes a motor, a pulley, a metal belt, a first unit, a second unit, a biasing member and a detector. The motor includes a drive shaft. The pulley includes an output shaft extending in parallel to the drive shaft. The pulley is rotatably supported on the first unit with the output shaft as a rotary shaft and the circumferential surface is arranged at a distance from the drive shaft in a radial direction of the rotation. The second unit supports the motor and is slidable relative to the first unit. The biasing member biases the second unit in a direction to move the drive shaft away from the output shaft in a state where the metal belt is mounted between the drive shaft and the pulley. The detector detects a change in an inter-axial distance between the drive shaft and the output shaft.

Developing member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus

A high-quality developing member which excels in filming resistance and excels in leak resistance despite high electroconductivity is provided. The developing member includes an electroconductive substrate, an elastic layer formed on the substrate, and a surface layer which covers a surface of the elastic layer. The surface layer includes a first resin which has, between two adjacent urethane linkages, a structure represented by the structural formula (1) and one or both of structures selected from the group consisting of a structure represented by the structural formula (2) and a structure represented by the structural formula (3), a second resin which has a structure represented by the structural formula (4) and one or both of structures selected from the group consisting of a structure represented by the structural formula (5) and a structure represented by the structural formula (6), and an electronically conductive filler.

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS

A charge-generating layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a phthalocyanine pigment and a specific tricyanoethylene compound. Alternatively, the charge-generating layer and/or an undercoat layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a specific tricyanoethylene compound, and the charge-generating layer includes the phthalocyanine pigment. 2. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,{'sup': '1', 'wherein, in the formula (1), Rrepresents an amino group substituted with a pyridyl group, a piperidyl group, an alkyl group, or an aryl group, or an aryl group substituted with a secondary amine or a tertiary amine.'}3. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the tricyanoethylene compound represented by the formula (1) is in the range of −3.2 eV to −2.9 eV, the LUMO being obtained from the results of molecular orbital calculation by density functional calculation at the B3LYP/6-31G level.5. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 ,wherein the phthalocyanine pigment is hydroxygallium phthalocyanine.6. A process cartridge detachably attachable to a main body of an electrophotographic apparatus claim 1 ,wherein the process cartridge integrally supports:{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to , and'}at least one device selected from the group consisting of a charging device, a developing device, and a cleaning device.7. An electrophotographic apparatus comprising:{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to ;'}a charging device;an exposure device;a developing device; anda transferring device.9. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 8 ,{'sup': '1', 'wherein, in the formula (1), Rrepresents an amino group substituted with a pyridyl group, a ...

CHARGE TRANSPORTING FILM, PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTORECEPTOR, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A charge transporting film includes a cured film of a composition containing at least one selected from reactive compounds represented by the following Formula (I): 2. The charge transporting film according to claim 1 ,wherein in Formula (IIa), L represents a (n+1)-valent linking group including a group obtained by combining one selected from the group consisting of —O— and —C(═O)—O— with one or more selected from the group consisting of an alkylene group, an alkenylene group, and a trivalent or tetravalent group derived from alkane or alkene.6. The charge transporting film according to claim 1 ,wherein the total number of E in Formula (I) is from 2 to 6.7. The charge transporting film according to claim 1 ,wherein the total number of E in Formula (I) is from 3 to 6.8. The charge transporting film according to claim 1 ,wherein the total number of E in Formula (I) is from 4 to 6.9. A photoelectric conversion device comprising:{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'the charge transporting film according to .'}10. An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising:a conductive substrate; anda photosensitive layer which is provided on the conductive substrate,{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'wherein an outermost layer contains the charge transporting film according to .'}11. The electrophotographic photoreceptor according to claim 10 ,wherein in the charge transporting film, L in Formula (Ira) represents a (n+1)-valent linking group including a group obtained by combining one selected from the group consisting of —O— and —C(═O)—O— with one or more selected from the group consisting of an alkylene group, an alkenylene group, and a trivalent or tetravalent group derived from alkane or alkene.13. An image forming apparatus comprising:an electrophotographic photoreceptor;a charging unit that charges a surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor;a latent image forming unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on a charged surface of the ...

TORQUE TRANSMITTING MEMBER, PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM UNIT, AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE

There is provided a torque transmitting member that appropriately maintains conductivity between an image forming apparatus body and a photosensitive drum and can suppress the occurrence of conduction failure. A torque transmitting member, which is disposed at an end portion of a photosensitive drum unit and transmits torque, includes: an cylindrical end member that includes a bearing portion at one end portion thereof and a fitting portion, which is inserted into a photosensitive drum, at the other end portion thereof; and a conductive conducting shaft member that is disposed so as to extend along a cylindrical shaft of the end member and includes a conductive material, which is elastically deformed, on at least a part thereof. 1. A torque transmitting member that is disposed at an end portion of a photosensitive drum unit and transmits torque , the torque transmitting member comprising:a cylindrical end member that includes a bearing portion at one end portion thereof and a fitting portion at the other end portion thereof, the fitting portion being inserted into a photosensitive drum; anda conductive conducting shaft member that is disposed so as to extend along a cylindrical shaft of the end member and includes a conductive material, which is elastically deformed, on at least a part thereof.2. The torque transmitting member according to claim 1 ,wherein the conductive material is at least one of a coil spring, a conductive sheet, a brush made of metal, and wool made of metal.3. The torque transmitting member according to claim 1 ,wherein the torque transmitting member is formed so that an end portion of the conducting shaft member is accessible from the bearing portion.4. The torque transmitting member according to claim 1 ,wherein a ground plate, which is a conductive plate-like member, is disposed at a portion of the end member close to the fitting portion and an end portion of the conducting shaft member comes into contact with the ground plate.5. The torque ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus having: a rotating member adapted to support an image; a first drive source configured to generate a drive force; a transmission mechanism configured to transmit the generated drive force toward the rotating member, the mechanism including an upstream gear and a downstream gear configured to receive the drive force therefrom; a sensor configured to output a signal indicating a rotational status of the rotating member; a control circuit configured to generate a control signal appropriate for non-uniform rotation of the rotating member, on the basis of the signal outputted by the sensor; and an actuator configured to cause a rotation axis of the first drive source or the transmission mechanism to pivot, in accordance with the control signal, thereby changing a force with which the upstream gear pushes the downstream gear into rotation such that the non-uniform rotation is cancelled out. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a rotating member adapted to support an image;a first drive source configured to generate a drive force;a transmission mechanism configured to transmit the drive force generated by the first drive source toward the rotating member, the mechanism including an upstream gear and a downstream gear configured to receive the drive force from the upstream gear;a sensor configured to output a signal indicating a rotational status of the rotating member;a control circuit configured to generate a control signal appropriate for non-uniform rotation of the rotating member, on the basis of the signal outputted by the sensor; andan actuator configured to cause a rotation axis of the first drive source or the transmission mechanism to pivot, in accordance with the control signal generated by the control circuit, thereby changing a force with which the upstream gear pushes the downstream gear into rotation such that the non-uniform rotation of the rotating member is cancelled out.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , ...

Image Forming Apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes a main body including an image forming unit including an image carrying member, a drive force transmission mechanism configured to transmit a drive force to the image carrying member, and a main body configured to support the image forming unit. The main body includes a first frame disposed on a first side of the image carrying member in an axial direction of the image carrying member, a second frame disposed on a second side of the image carrying member opposite to the first side thereof, a first connecting member extending in the axial direction of the image carrying member and connecting the first frame and the second frame, and a second connecting member spaced apart from the first connecting member and connecting the first frame and the second frame. The first frame is made of metal and the second frame is made of resin. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:an image forming unit including an image carrying member;a drive force transmission mechanism configured to transmit a drive force to the image carrying member; and a first frame disposed on a first side of the image carrying member in an axial direction of the image carrying member, the first frame supporting the drive force transmission mechanism;', 'a second frame disposed on a second side of the image carrying member opposite to the first side thereof, the second frame and the first frame facing each other;', 'a first connecting member extending in the axial direction of the image carrying member and connecting the first frame and the second frame; and', 'a second connecting member spaced apart from the first connecting member and connecting the first frame and the second frame,, 'a main body configured to support the image forming unit, the main body includingwherein the first frame of the main body is made of metal and the second frame of the main body is made of resin.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second frame is provided with ...

DISMOUNTING AND MOUNTING METHODS FOR COUPLING AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM UNIT

A coupling member dismounting method including an inclining step of inclining a coupling member relative to a rotational axis of a drum flange, wherein the coupling member includes a spherical portion mounted to a rear end portion of a rotating force receiving member by a pin penetration. The method also includes a pin urging step of pushing the pin from one end to the other end thereof. The method further includes a pin riding step of making a part of the pin which is further projected at the end by the pin urging step ride on a surface and a coupling member dismounting step of dismounting the coupling member from the drum flange by applying a force to a free end portion of the coupling member toward a fulcrum which is the portion of the pin riding on the surface. 1. A coupling member dismounting method for dismounting , from a drum flange mounted to an electrophotographic photosensitive drum usable with a process cartridge which is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus , a coupling member for receiving a rotating force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the main assembly of the apparatus in a state in which the process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus , said method comprising:(i) an inclining step of inclining the coupling member relative to a rotational axis of the drum flange, wherein the coupling member includes a rotating force receiving member having, at a free end portion, a rotating force receiving portion for receiving the rotating force, a spherical portion mounted to a rear end portion of the rotating force receiving member by a pin penetration;(ii) a pin urging step of pushing the pin from one end to the other end thereof, wherein said one and the other ends of the pin are projected out of the spherical portion in a state in which the coupling member is inclined by said inclining step;wherein a regulating portion provided along an inside of the drum ...

DISMOUNTING AND MOUNTING METHODS FOR COUPLING AND ELECTROPHOTOGPHAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM UNIT

An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof and a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder. The drum flange includes at least two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, with a space diametrically between the two projections. Each of the two projections projects radially inwardly of the drum flange to a greater extent at a position farther from the cylinder than it does at a position closer to the cylinder. Each of the two projections is provided with a recess to facilitate deformation of the projection. 110-. (canceled)11. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit comprising:(a) a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof; and(b) a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder, the drum flange including at least two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, with a space diametrically between the two projections,wherein each of the two projections projects radially inwardly of the drum flange to a greater extent at a position farther from the cylinder than it does at a position closer to the cylinder, andwherein each of the two projections is provided with a recess to facilitate deformation of the projection.12. A drum unit according to claim 11 , wherein each of the two projections extends radially inwardly of the drum to the greatest extent at an outer end of the projection in a longitudinal direction of the cylinder.13. A drum unit according to claim 11 , further comprising a gear portion provided along an outer surface of the drum flange.14. A drum unit according to claim 13 , wherein the two projections are provided at substantially the same position as the gear portion with respect to a longitudinal direction of the cylinder.15. A drum unit according to claim 11 , wherein the drum flange includes more than two projections ...

ROTATIONAL FORCE TRANSMITTING PART

An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes (a) a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof and (b) a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder, with the drum flange including at least two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, and with a space diametrically between the two projections. Each of the two projections projects radially inwardly of the drum flange to a greater extent at a position farther from the cylinder than it does at a position closer to the cylinder. 157-. (canceled)58. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit comprising:{'i': 'a', '() a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof; and'}{'i': 'b', '() a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder, the drum flange including at least two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, with a space diametrically between the two projections,'}wherein each of the two projections projects radially inwardly of the drum flange to a greater extent at a position farther from the cylinder than it does at a position closer to the cylinder.59. A drum unit according to claim 58 , wherein each of the two projections extends radially inwardly of the drum to the greatest extent at an outer end of the projection in a longitudinal direction of the cylinder.60. A drum unit according to claim 58 , further comprising a gear portion provided along an outer surface of the drum flange.61. A drum unit according to claim 60 , wherein the two projections are provided at substantially the same position as the gear portion with respect to a longitudinal direction of the cylinder.62. A drum unit according to claim 58 , wherein the drum flange includes more than two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange claim 58 , and each projection is circumferentially spaced apart from each ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS

An electrophotographic photosensitive member in which image deletion is hardly produced, and a process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus having the electrophotographic photosensitive member are provided. For this, a surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a plurality of depressed portions and a portion other than the depressed portions, each of the depressed portions having a depth of 0.5 to 5 μm and an opening longest diameter of 20 to 80 μm; when a 500 μm×500 μm square region is disposed in an arbitrary position of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the area of the depressed portions in the 500 μm×500 μm square region is from 10000 to 90000 μm, and the area of a flat part contained in the portion other than the depressed portions is from 80000 to 240000 μm. 1. An electrophotographic photosensitive member , comprising a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support , whereina surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member comprises a plurality of depressed portions and a portion other than the depressed portions, each of the depressed portions having a depth of 0.5 to 5 μm and an opening longest diameter of 20 to 80 μm, and{'sup': 2', '2, 'when a 500 μm×500 μm square region is disposed in an arbitrary position of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, an area of the depressed portions in the 500 μm×500 μm square region is from 10000 to 90000 μm, and an area of a flat part contained in the portion other than the depressed portions is from 80000 to 240000 μm.'}2. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 , wherein a proportion of an area of a narrow area claim 1 , in which a 10 μm×10 μm square region cannot be disposed claim 1 , of the flat part in the 500 μm×500 μm square region is not more than 30% based on a total area of the flat part in the 500 μm×500 μm square region.3. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to ...

Image Forming Apparatus

An image forming apparatus, including an image forming unit; a resin-made frame to support the image forming unit; a drive source arranged on a one-end side of a transmission path to generate driving force; a gear arranged on the other-end side of the transmission path to be rotated, while one of axial ends of a shaft of the gear is supported by the frame; a metal-made first supporting member fixed to the frame to support the other of axial ends of the shaft of the gear thereon; a metal-made second supporting member fixed to the frame to support the drive source thereon and; an endless belt; a first pulley supported by the second supporting member to transmit the driving force to the endless belt, the first pulley being; and a second pulley having the endless belt strained there-around and supported by the first supporting member, is provided. 1. An image forming apparatus , comprising:an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet;a frame made of resin and configured to support the image forming unit;a drive source configured to generate driving force, the drive source being on a one-end side of a transmission path for the driving force;a gear arranged on the other-end side of the transmission path and configured to be rotated by the driving force generated in the drive source, one of axial ends of a shaft of the gear being supported by the frame;a first supporting member made of metal, fixed to the frame, and configured to support the other of axial ends of the shaft of the gear thereon;a second supporting member made of metal, fixed to the frame, and configured to support the drive source thereon;an endless belt configured to transmit the driving force from the one-end side to the other-end side;a first pulley configured to transmit the driving force generated in the drive source to the endless belt, the first pulley being supported by the second supporting member; anda second pulley arranged to have the endless belt strained there-around and ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOSENSITIVE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a conductive substrate and a photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer contains at least a charge generating material, a hole transport material, and a binder resin. The hole transport material is a compound represented by the following general formula (1). The binder resin is a resin represented by the following general formula (2). In general formula (1), Rand Reach independently represent an alkyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, or an alkoxy group; and Rand Reach independently represent an alkyl group, or an alkoxy group. In general formula (2), R, R, and Reach independently represent a hydrogen atom, or a Calkyl group, at least one of R, R, and Rrepresenting a Calkyl group; p+q=1.00, and 0.35≦p<1,00; and n represents 2 or 3. 2. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 , wherein{'sub': 1', '3', '2', '4, 'in general formula (1), Rand Reach independently represent an alkyl group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 6, or an alkoxy group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 6, and Rand Reach independently represent an alkyl group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 6, and'}{'sub': 23', '25', '23', '25', '24, 'in general formula (2), Rand Reach independently represent a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group having a carbon number of at least I and no greater than 4, at least one of Rand Rrepresenting an alkyl group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 4, Rrepresents a hydrogen atom, p+q=1.00, 040≦p≦0.60, and n represents 2 or 3.'}3. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 , wherein{'sub': 23', '24', '25, 'in general formula (2), Rrepresents a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 4, Rrepresents a hydrogen atom, Rrepresents an alkyl group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 4, p+q=1.00, 0.40≦p≦0.60, and ...

SUPPORT MEMBER, IMAGE CARRIER, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A support member is supported in a cylinder included in an image carrier and includes a separation-space-defining portion that is arranged at a certain position in a circumferential direction and extends in an axial direction of the cylinder so that the support member has an arc shape; and a groove-defining portion having a groove depth that changes along the axial direction. A bottom plate of the groove-defining portion is elastically deformed so that the support member presses an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder at least at both ends in the axial direction and is thereby supported in the cylinder. 1. A support member supported in a cylinder included in an image carrier , the support member comprising:a lot that is arranged at a certain position in a circumferential direction and extends along the entire length of the support member in an axial direction of the cylinder so that the support member has a cylindrical shape; anda groove-defining portion having a groove depth that changes along the axial direction,wherein a bottom plate of the groove-defining portion is elastically deformed so that the support member presses an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder and is thereby supported in the cylinder.2. The support member according to claim 1 , wherein the groove-defining portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the support member claim 1 , andwherein the groove depth in a central region in the axial direction is greater than the groove depth at both ends in the axial direction.3. The support member according to claim 1 , wherein the groove-defining portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the support member claim 1 , andwherein the groove depth repeatedly increases and decreases along the axial direction.4. An image carrier comprising:{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'the support member according to that is supported in the cylinder, wherein the cylinder has a cylindrical shape and on whose surface a toner image is ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM, PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM UNIT, BUSH MEMBER

This image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a shaft portion, a support portion, and a bush member. The photosensitive drum is configured to hold a toner image to be transferred to a sheet member. The shaft portions are connected to both ends in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, and project outward in the axial direction from a center of the photosensitive drum. The support portions have shaft holes through which the shaft portions are inserted, and are configured to rotatably support the shaft portions. The bush members are interposed between inner surfaces of the shaft holes and outer circumferential surfaces of the shaft portions, and are each formed in an arc shape having a slit extending in the axial direction. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a photosensitive drum configured to hold a toner image to be transferred to a sheet member;shaft portions connected to both ends in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum and projecting outward in the axial direction from a center of the photosensitive drum;support portions having shaft holes through which the shaft portions are inserted, and configured to rotatably support the shaft portions; andbush members interposed between inner surfaces of the shaft holes and outer circumferential surfaces of the shaft portions, and each formed in an arc shape having a slit extending in the axial direction.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:a developing roller provided with a predetermined gap from an outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum, and configured to hold toner to be adhered to the photosensitive drum;rotary rollers provided at both ends in the axial direction of the developing roller, and configured to be pressed to both end portions of the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum with a predetermined energizing force, and to position the developing roller at a position separated by the predetermined gap from ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Provided herein is an image forming apparatus and method, the apparatus including an engine configured to form a predetermined pattern having a predetermined multiple number length on a circumference length of each photosensitive drum in an image forming medium using the photosensitive drum, a motor configured to drive the photosensitive drum, and a motor controller configured to sense a cyclic velocity of the photosensitive drum using the formed predetermined pattern, and to control a phase and velocity of the motor using the sensed cyclic velocity. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:an engine configured to form a predetermined pattern, having a predetermined length that is based on a multiple number of a circumference length of a photosensitive drum, on an image forming medium using the photosensitive drum;a motor configured to drive the photosensitive drum; anda motor controller configured to sense a cyclic velocity of the photosensitive drum using the formed predetermined pattern, and to control a phase and velocity of the motor using the sensed cyclic velocity.2. The apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the multiple number is a minimum natural number that is greater than a diameter Di of a driving roller that drives the image forming medium divided by a subtraction of the diameter Di from a diameter Do of the photosensitive drum.3. The apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the multiple number is 4.4. The apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the engine comprises a plurality of photosensitive drums, and forms respective predetermined patterns, each having a predetermined length that is based on a multiple number of a circumference length of a respective photosensitive drum, on the image forming medium.5. The apparatus according to claim 4 ,wherein the plurality of photosensitive drums include a black (K) photosensitive drum, a cyan (C) photosensitive drum, a magenta (M) photosensitive drum, and a yellow (Y) photosensitive drum,the image forming ...

Drive transmitter, process unit incorporating the drive transmitter, and image forming apparatus incorporating the drive transmitter

A drive transmitter, which is includable to a process unit and an image forming apparatus, includes a first gear, a second gear, and a rotation regulator. The first gear has at least one tooth. The second gear has multiple teeth, one of which is meshed with the at least one tooth of the first gear and rotated with the first gear. The first gear continuously rotates and the second gear remains stationary when not in mesh. The number of rotations of the second gear per unit time is smaller than the number of rotations of the first gear. The rotation regulator regulates rotation of the second gear such that a tip of the second gear meshing with the first gear is located downstream from an intersection start point in a rotation direction of the second gear and upstream from an intersection end point in the rotation direction.

SINGLE-LAYER TYPE ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTORECEPTOR FOR POSITIVE CHARGING, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTORECEPTOR CARTRIDGE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a single-layer type electrophotographic photoreceptor for positive charging, comprising: a conductive support; and a photosensitive layer disposed on the conductive support and comprising a binder resin, a charge generation material, a hole transport material and a specific electron transport material within the same layer, wherein the photosensitive layer contains a specific aromatic compound. 2. The single-layer type electrophotographic photoreceptor for positive charging according to claim 1 ,wherein the content of the aromatic compound represented by Formula (7) in the photosensitive layer is 1 part by mass to 50 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin.3. The single-layer type electrophotographic photoreceptor for positive charging according to claim 1 ,wherein the charge generation material is a phthalocyanine pigment.4. The single-layer type electrophotographic photoreceptor for positive charging according to claim 1 ,wherein the binder resin is a polycarbonate resin.6. An electrophotographic photoreceptor cartridge claim 1 , comprising:{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'the single-layer type electrophotographic photoreceptor for positive charging according to ; and'}at least one selected from the group consisting of a charging device for charging the electrophotographic photoreceptor, an exposure device for exposing the charged electrophotographic photoreceptor so as to form an electrostatic latent image thereon, and a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor.7. An image forming apparatus comprising:{'claim-ref': {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, 'the single-layer type electrophotographic photoreceptor for positive charging according to ;'}a charging device for charging the electrophotographic photoreceptor;an exposure device for exposing the charged electrophotographic photoreceptor to light so as to form an ...

FLUORINATED STRUCUTURED ORGANIC FILM LAYERS

Disclosed herein is an imaging member that includes a substrate, a charge generating layer, a charge transport layer; and an outermost layer comprising a structured organic film (SOF) comprising a fluorinated molecular building block and a hole molecular building block, wherein the fluorinated molecular building block is present in the SOF of the outermost layer in an amount of from about 1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent of the SOF. 1. An imaging member comprising:a substrate;an electrically conductive ground plane;a charge generating layer;a charge transport layer; andan outermost structured organic film (SOF) layer consisting of: a plurality of segments and a plurality of linkers, including a fluorinated segment, the fluorinated segment obtained from a fluorinated molecular building block selected from the group consisting of: 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoro-1,6-hexanediol, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7-dodecanfluoro-1,8-octanediol, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9-perfluorodecane-1,10-diol, (2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-hydroxymethyl-phenyl)-methanol, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1,4-butanediol, 2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-1,5-pentanediol, and 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8-tetradecafluoro-1,9-nonanediol and an electroactive segment, wherein the electroactive segment is selected from the group consisting of: N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis-[(4-hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine and N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine, an optional catalyst, an optional antioxidant, wherein the fluorinated molecular building block is present in the outermost SOF layer in an amount of from about 1 weight percent to about 5.2. (canceled)3. The imaging member of claim 1 , wherein the outermost SOF layer is from about 2 to about 15 microns thick.47-. (canceled)8. The imaging member of claim 1 , wherein the fluorine content of the outermost SOF layer is from about 1 to about 5 percent by weight.9. (canceled)10. An electrostatographic apparatus comprising:an imaging member, including an ...

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. 1. A process cartridge comprising: a photosensitive drum; and', 'a drum coupling configured to rotate the photosensitive drum; and, 'a drum frame including a developing roller; and', 'a developing coupling configured to rotate the developing roller,, 'a housing configured to accommodate toner therein, the housing includingwherein the housing is movable relative to the drum frame between a first position and a second position,wherein a surface of the developing roller is in contact with a surface of the photosensitive drum in a state where the housing is at the first position, andwherein the surface of the developing roller is spaced apart from the surface of the photosensitive drum.2. An image forming apparatus comprising: [ a photosensitive drum; and', 'a drum coupling configured to rotate the photosensitive drum; and, 'a drum frame including, a developing roller; and', 'a developing coupling configured to rotate the developing roller,, 'a housing configured to accommodate toner therein, the housing including], 'a process cartridge includingwherein the housing is movable relative to the drum frame ...

DRIVING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a driving device including a first gear and a second gear, a power transmitter configured to transfer a rotational force applied in one direction from the motor to the first and second gears; a cam configured to set the power transmitter to one of a release mode in which the motor is disconnected from the first and second gears, a first connection mode in which one of the first and second gears is connected to the motor, and a second connection mode in which the other of the first and second gears is connected to the motor; and a clutch configured to selectively transfer the rotational force applied in the one direction from the motor to the cam. 1. An apparatus comprising:a motor configured to provide a rotational force;a first gear;a second gear;a power transmitter configured to selectively transfer the rotational force from the motor to the first gear and from the motor to the second gear; a release mode in which the rotational force from the motor is disconnected from the first gear and the second gear,', 'a first connection mode in which the first gear is connected to the rotational force from the motor and the second gear is disconnected from the rotational force from the motor, and', 'a second connection mode in which the second gear is connected to the rotational force from the motor and the first gear is disconnected from the rotational force from the motor; and, 'a cam configured to set a mode of the power transmitter to one ofa clutch configured to selectively transfer the rotational force from the motor to the cam.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , whereinthe power transmitter comprises a rotatable shaft configured to receive the rotational force from the motor, andthe first gear, the second gear, and the cam are rotatably provided on the rotatable shaft.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the power transmitter further comprises:a first fixed latch member fixed to the shaft and including a first fixed ...

ROTATIONAL FORCE TRANSMITTING PART

A rotating force transmitting part for an electrophotographic photosensitive drum for a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a driving shaft, to be driven by a motor, having the rotating force applying portion, and wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is dismountable from the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a direction substantial perpendicular with an axial direction of the driving shaft, the rotating force transmitting part includes a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in the state in which electrophotographic photosensitive drum is mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the rotational force transmitting angular position, wherein when the process cartridge is dismounted from the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the coupling member moves from the rotational force transmitting angular position to the disengaging angular position. 1. A rotating force transmitting part for an electrophotographic photosensitive drum for a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus , wherein the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a driving shaft , to be driven by a motor , having the ...

Method of attaching regulating blade and development apparatus

A method of attaching a regulating blade made of resin to an attachment portion of a development frame which is made of resin and includes the attachment portion for attaching the regulating blade includes applying an adhesive to the attachment portion, applying a hardening accelerator to the regulating blade, and attaching the regulating blade to the attachment portion via the adhesive applied to the attachment portion and the hardening accelerator applied to the regulating blade. The regulating blade is disposed opposite to and not in contact with a development rotary member configured to bear and convey a developer toward a position at which an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member is developed, and configured to regulate an amount of the developer to be borne on the development rotary member.

DRUM UNIT, PROCESS CARTRIDGE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A drum unit usable with a process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having an axis L; and a coupling member having an axis L and connected to an end portion of the photosensitive drum, the coupling member being provided with a projection extending toward an end portion of the coupling member, wherein the coupling member is movable along the axis L between a first position, and a second position in which the projection is closer to the photosensitive drum than in the first position, wherein the projection is provided with a force receiving portion for receiving a rotational force and an outer surface facing away from the axis L, and wherein at least a part of the outer surface is more distant from the axis L as is further from the photosensitive drum in a direction of the axis L 1110-. (canceled)111. A drum unit usable with a process cartridge , the drum unit comprising:{'b': '1', 'a photosensitive drum having an axis L; and'}{'b': '2', 'a coupling member having an axis L, the coupling member including (i) a first end portion, (ii) a second end portion operatively connected to an end portion of the photosensitive drum, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion,'}wherein the first end portion is provided with a recessed surface facing away from the second end portion and is provided with a projection projecting from a surface that is adjacent to the recessed surface,{'b': '2', 'wherein the coupling member is movable along the axis L between a first position and a second position in which the projection is closer to the photosensitive drum than the projection is to the photosensitive drum when the coupling member is in the first position,'}{'b': '2', 'wherein the projection has an outer surface facing away from the axis L,'}{'b': 2', '1, 'wherein at least a part of the outer surface of the projection increases in distance from the axis L as the distance from the photosensitive drum increases in a direction of the ...

CARTRIDGE, ROTARY UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A cartridge includes a coupling member, a transmitted member, and a rotary member. The transmitted member includes an accommodating portion configured to accommodate the coupling member, and a protruded portion integrally formed with an inner wall of the accommodating portion and protruding from the inner wall toward an inside of the accommodating portion. The coupling member includes a free end portion having a rotational force receiving portion that receives a rotational force, a connected portion connected to the transmitted member in such a manner that at least a part of the connected portion can be accommodated in the accommodating portion, and a recessed portion provided at the connected portion so that the protruded portion can enter. An inclination angle of a rotation axis of the coupling member relative to a rotation axis of the transmitted member is variable. 1. A coupling member configured to receive and transmit a rotational force , comprising:a first portion having a protrusion for receiving the rotational force;a second portion having two recessed portions for transmitting the rotational force and an intermediate portion; anda third portion configured to connect the first portion and the second portion;wherein each of the two recessed portions is formed by at least a first surface and a second surface,wherein the first surfaces are parallel to a rotational axis of the third portion rotated by the rotational force and the first surfaces are parallel with each other,wherein the second surfaces are parallel to a rotational axis of the third portion rotated by the rotational force and the second surfaces are parallel with each other,wherein the first surfaces and the second surfaces intersect with each other, andwherein the intermediate portion is a portion disposed between the second surfaces.217-. (canceled) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. Further, the present invention relates to an image forming system.The image forming ...

DRIVING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A driving device for driving a driving member includes a driving source; a driving gear fixed to a rotation shaft of the driving source; at least one gear for transmitting rotational motion of the driving gear to the driven member; a rotation detection gear engaged with the at least one gear; a detector for detecting rotation of the rotation detection gear; and a controller for detecting an angular speed and a rotational phase of the rotation detection gear on the basis of information from the detector and for controlling the rotational speed of the driving source such that a rotation period of the rotation detection gear is a non-integer multiple of a rotation period of the driving gear. 1. A driving device for driving a driving member , said driving device comprising:a driving source;a driving gear fixed to a rotation shaft of said driving source;at least one gear configured to transmit rotational motion of said driving gear to the driven member;a rotation detection gear engaged with said at least one gear;a detector configured to detect rotation of said rotation detection gear; anda controller configured to detect an angular speed and a rotational phase of said rotation detection gear on the basis of information from said detector and to control the rotational speed of said driving source such that a rotation period of said rotation detection gear is a non-integer multiple of a rotation period of said driving gear.2. A driving device according to claim 1 , further comprising a flag rotatable together with said rotation detection gear claim 1 , wherein said detector detects the rotation of said rotation detection gear by detecting said flag.3. A driving device according to claim 2 , wherein said flag is a code wheel including a plurality of slits arranged in a rotational direction claim 2 , wherein an interval between adjacent slits at least one portion is different from the other intervals between adjacent slits claim 2 , and said detector detects the rotation of ...

Drive transmission part for image forming apparatus

Drive transmission part and system including a columnar male part to be engaged with a twisted triangular female part to allow rotation of a part of an image forming apparatus. The columnar male part can include one or more projections of circular or elliptical cross section, arranged in a triangular pattern, or centrally located. The columnar part can also include a threaded surface to engage the female part. An intermediary part can also be provided to connect a ratchet type of part to the female part.

VIBRATION TYPE DRIVING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

For example, the present invention relates to a vibration type driving apparatus which includes: a vibrating body that includes an elastic body provided with a vibrating portion, and an electrical-mechanical energy converting element fixed to the elastic body; and a driven body in pressure contact with a frictional portion of the vibrating portion, wherein the vibrating body and the driven body are relatively moved by driving vibration generated when an alternating voltage is applied to the electrical-mechanical energy converting element; the elastic body includes a fixing portion for fixing the vibrating body to another member, and a connecting portion for connecting the vibrating portion and the fixing portion; and the connecting portion includes plural uneven rigidity components in a circumferential direction. 1. A vibration type driving apparatus , comprising:a vibrating body comprising an elastic body comprising a vibrating portion, and an electrical-mechanical energy converting element fixed to the elastic body; anda driven body in pressure contact with a frictional portion of the vibrating portion,whereinthe vibrating body and the driven body are relatively moved by driving vibration generated when an alternating voltage is applied to the electrical-mechanical energy converting element;the elastic body includes a fixing portion for fixing the vibrating body to another member, and a connecting portion for connecting the vibrating portion and the fixing portion; andthe connecting portion includes plural uneven rigidity components in a circumferential direction.2. The vibration type driving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein plural through holes are provided in the connecting portion.3. The vibration type driving apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a volume ratio k of the through holes to the connecting portion is 0.02≦k≦0.7.4. The vibration type driving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein plural grooves are provided in the connecting portion.5. ...

IMAGE CARRYING MEMBER UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THEREWITH

An image carrying member unit includes an image carrying member, a flange member, a shaft member, and a grounding member. The grounding member has a first bottom plate portion electrically connecting to the shaft member, and a pair of flat spring portions. Each flat spring portion has a first spring segment and a second spring segment bent from the tip end of the first spring segment via a second bent portion outward in the radial direction of the image carrying member to extend to approach the first bottom plate portion. Before insertion in the image carrying member, the distance between the second bent portions of the flat springs is smaller than the inner diameter of the image carrying member and the distance between tip end parts of the second spring segments is larger than the inner diameter of the image carrying member. 1. An image carrying member unit comprising:an image carrying member in a cylindrical shape, the image carrying member having a photosensitive layer formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, the image carrying member having an opening at each end thereof; a fitting portion fitted in the opening in the image carrying member; and', 'a through-hole along a rotation center of the image carrying member,', 'the flange member being electrically non-conductive and being fixed to each end of the image carrying member;, 'a flange member havinga shaft member inserted in the through-hole in the flange member; anda grounding member fixed to the flange member, the grounding member electrically connecting together the image carrying member and the shaft member,wherein a first bottom plate portion fixed to a tip end part of the fitting portion in a fitting direction thereof;', 'a pair of flat spring portions rising from the first bottom plate portion via a first bent portion in the fitting direction, the flat spring portions facing each other in a radial direction of the image carrying member, the radial direction being orthogonal to the fitting ...

DRIVE TRANSMISSION DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME

A drive transmission device includes a rotation shaft, a drive transmitter attached to the rotation shaft to slide in an axial direction and including an engaging portion extending in the axial direction, and a coil spring to bias the drive transmitter to one side in the axial direction, and a shaft-side drive transmitter disposed on the rotation shaft. The coil spring includes a sparse portion and a dense portion. The shaft-side drive transmitter engages the engaging portion to prevent the drive transmitter from disengaging from the rotation shaft. The coil spring and the engaging portion satisfy 1. A drive transmission device comprising:a rotation shaft;a drive transmitter attached to the rotation shaft to slide in an axial direction of the rotation shaft, the drive transmitter including an engaging portion extending in the axial direction, the drive transmitter to transmit a drive force from the rotation shaft; a sparse portion having a first winding pitch; and', 'a dense portion having a second winding pitch narrower than the first winding pitch,, 'a coil spring includingthe coil spring to bias the drive transmitter to one side in the axial direction; anda shaft-side drive transmitter disposed on the rotation shaft, the shaft-side drive transmitter to engage the engaging portion of the drive transmitter to prevent the drive transmitter from disengaging from the rotation shaft due to a biasing force of the coil spring, {'br': None, 'i': 'C>A−B'}, 'the coil spring and the engaging portion satisfying a relation defined aswhere A represents a length of the coil spring in a state in which the shaft-side drive transmitter retains the drive transmitter, B represents a compressed height of the coil spring being compressed to a degree that adjacent winding lines of the coil spring contact are in contact with each other, and C represents a length of the coil spring in the axial direction.2. The drive transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein a number of turns of ...

Image Forming Apparatus Including Coupling Member Selectively Coupled to Photosensitive Drum

An image forming apparatus includes a main body, endless belt, photosensitive drums, setting unit, contacting/separating mechanism, transmitting mechanism, and coupling members. The photosensitive drums are disposed in confrontation with the endless belt and are arranged in a first direction. Each photosensitive drum has an axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The setting unit sets the image forming apparatus to a monochrome mode or color mode. The contacting/separating mechanism controls at least one photosensitive drum to contact or separate from the endless in accordance with the set mode. The transmitting mechanism selectively transmits drive power to photosensitive drums. Each coupling member is selectively coupled to the corresponding photosensitive drum and has a coupling axis extending in the second direction. Each coupling member is uncoupled from the corresponding photosensitive drum when the contacting/separating mechanism controls the corresponding photosensitive drum to separate from the endless belt.

Image information apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form a developer image on a recording material, a fixing portion configured to heat-fix the developer image to the recording material, a first motor configured to drive the image forming portion, a second motor configured to drive the fixing portion, and a control portion configured to control the first motor and the second motor. The second motor is a stepping motor. The control portion allows the second motor to start rotation at a speed in a self-start region, temporarily stops the second motor at a timing at which the first motor is activated, then allows the second motor to restart rotation at a speed in the self-start region, and changes the speed of the second motor to a speed outside the self-start region before the recording material arrives at the fixing portion.

DRUM UNIT, CARTRIDGE, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND COUPLING MEMBER

A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum in a coupling member. The coupling member includes an engageable member having a driving force receiving portion which is capable of entering a recess of a driving shaft to receive a driving force for rotating photosensitive drum. The coupling member includes a holding member configured to hold said engageable member so as to be slidable at least in a radial direction of said drum unit. 1. A drum unit detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus , the main assembly including a driving shaft provided with a recess , said drum unit comprising:(1) a photosensitive drum; and(2) a coupling member provided on said photosensitive drum and including, (2-1) an engageable member having a driving force receiving portion configured to enter the recess to receive a driving force for rotating said photosensitive drum, (2-2) a holding member configured to hold said engageable member so as to be slidable at least in a radial direction of said drum unit, (2-3) an urging member configured to urge said engageable member.2277.-. (canceled) The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process, a drum unit, a cartridge and a coupling which are usable with the image forming apparatus, or the like.In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, there is known a structure in which elements such as a photosensitive drum and a developing roller, which are rotatable members related to image formation, are integrated into a cartridge which is detachably mountable relative to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus (hereinafter, the apparatus main assembly). In such a structure, a structure for receiving a driving force from the apparatus main assembly to rotate the photosensitive drum in the cartridge is employed in many apparatuses. At this time, a structure is known in which a driving force is transmitted through engagement between a coupling member on a ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING GEAR TRAINS FOR TRANSMITTING DRIVING FORCE OF MOTOR TO EACH OF A PLURALITY OF DEVELOPING UNITS

An image forming apparatus includes: a first gear train including a first clutch; a second gear train including a second clutch; a third gear train including a third clutch; a fourth gear train including a fourth clutch; a motor including an output shaft; an output gear rotatable with the output shaft; a fifth gear train connected to the first and second clutches; and a sixth gear train connected to the third and fourth clutches. The first clutch engages transmission of a driving force to a first developing unit, the second clutch engages transmission of a driving force to a second developing unit, the third clutch engages transmission of a driving force to a third developing unit, and the fourth clutch engages transmission of a driving force to a fourth developing unit. The fifth and sixth gear trains are connected to the output gear independently from each other. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a first joint connected to a first developing unit comprising a first developing roller, the first joint comprising a first joint gear; and', 'a first clutch configured to switch power transmission status between a first engaging state where the first clutch engages transmission of a driving force to the first joint gear and a first disengaging state where the first clutch disengages the transmission of the driving force to the first joint gear;, 'a first gear train comprising a second joint connected to a second developing unit comprising a second developing roller, the second joint comprising a second joint gear; and', 'a second clutch configured to switch power transmission status between a second engaging state where the second clutch engages transmission of a driving force to the second joint gear and a second disengaging state where the second clutch the disengages transmission of the driving force to the second joint gear;, 'a second gear train comprising a third joint connected to a third developing unit comprising a third developing roller, the third ...

Image Forming Apparatus

A third contact portion contacts a first contact portion when a drum cartridge moves from first to second guide position. A fourth contact portion contacts a second contact portion when the drum cartridge moves from second to third guide position. When the drum cartridge moves from the first guide position to the second guide position, due to contact of the first contact portion with the third contact portion, the first cover located at the first position rotationally moves in a same rotational direction as the particular rotational direction to be located at the second position. When the drum cartridge moves from the second guide position to the third guide position, due to contact of the second contact portion with the fourth contact portion, the drum cartridge moves from the second guide position to the third guide position in a state where the first cover is kept at the second position.

Image Forming Apparatus Including Coupling Member Selectively Coupled to Photosensitive Drum

An image forming apparatus includes a main body, endless belt, photosensitive drums, setting unit, contacting/separating mechanism, transmitting mechanism, and coupling members. The photosensitive drums are disposed in confrontation with the endless belt and are arranged in a first direction. Each photosensitive drum has an axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The setting unit sets the image forming apparatus to a monochrome mode or color mode. The contacting/separating mechanism controls at least one photosensitive drum to contact or separate from the endless in accordance with the set mode. The transmitting mechanism selectively transmits drive power to photosensitive drums. Each coupling member is selectively coupled to the corresponding photosensitive drum and has a coupling axis extending in the second direction. Each coupling member is uncoupled from the corresponding photosensitive drum when the contacting/separating mechanism controls the corresponding photosensitive drum to separate from the endless belt. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a main casing; a first photosensitive drum supported by and movable with the process frame in a case where the process frame moves relative to the main casing between the first position and the second position, and the first photosensitive drum being detachable from the process frame; and', 'a second photosensitive drum supported by and movable with the process frame in a case where the process frame moves relative to the main casing between the first position and the second position, and the second photosensitive drum being non-detachably supported by the process frame at all positions of the process frame relative to the main casing;, 'a process frame configured to move relative to the main casing between a first position and a second position, the process frame being in the main casing in a case where the process frame is in the first position, and the process frame being out ...

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. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a photosensitive drum; and', 'a drum coupling configured to rotate the photosensitive drum; and, 'a drum cartridge including a developing roller; and', 'a developing coupling configured to rotate the developing roller,, 'a developing cartridge configured to accommodate toner therein, the developing cartridge includingwherein the developing cartridge is movable relative to the drum cartridge between a first position and a second position,wherein a surface of the developing roller is in contact with a surface of the photosensitive drum in a case where the developing cartridge is at the first position,wherein the surface of the developing roller is spaced apart from the surface of the photosensitive drum in a case where the developing cartridge is at the second position, and 'a coupling configured to couple to the drum coupling, the coupling being movable between a third position and a fourth position relative to the drum coupling.', 'wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the third ...