Abstract: In a powder transport apparatus, powder is transported through a pipe having a powder transport member that exerts a force on the powder such that the powder is moved downstream in a transport direction. A part regulating the amount of the powder to be transported is provided in the pipe.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a process cartridge, a toner storage, and a toner supplying unit. The process cartridge includes an image bearing member, a developer container, a developer bearing member, and a pair of side plates. The developer container includes a toner inlet mounted at a predetermined position on one of its top surface. The pair of side plates are arranged in parallel and separated by a predetermined distance which determines a predetermined longitudinal width of the process cartridge and configured to support the components in the process cartridge.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated fuel injection valve includes a container into which fuel is introduced, a needle member that is disposed in the container and that moves longitudinally, and an electromagnetic controller provided with first and second magnetic circuits through which suction forces can be controlled independently of each other. The electromagnetic controller changes an area of a fuel flow passage defined as a space between an inner surface of the container and an outer surface of the needle member by moving the needle member by means of the suction forces. The fuel injection valve may provide two limit strokes to achieve variable injection rates.

Abstract: In a powder transport apparatus, powder is transported through a pipe having a powder transport member that exerts a force on the powder such that the powder is moved downstream in a transport direction. A part regulating the amount of the powder to be transported is provided in the pipe.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including at least two image forming units arranged side by side in an arrangement direction and each of the image forming units contains a photoconductor configured to bear a latent electrostatic image thereon and at least one process device configured to form a toner image on the photoconductor, and a unit case having a notch thereon to grasp the unit case.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of image forming include a process cartridge detachably mounted therein. The process cartridge includes a photoconductive element and a housing storing the photoconductive element and including a guide portion guiding the process cartridge. The guide portion faces an inner wall of the image forming apparatus or another process cartridge adjoining thereto and guides the adjoining process cartridge. The guide portion slidably engages with a portion of the process adjoining cartridge . The guide portion varies in shape according to its position in the image forming apparatus. The guide portion may be separately formed from or integrated with the housing. A method and apparatus of an image forming includes an image transfer mechanism and a plurality of process cartridges arranged in parallel. Each of the process cartridges includes photoconductive elements and a housing, and forms an image for a single separated color.

Abstract: A high pressure pump for decreasing an initial axial force of a clamping bolt and preventing distortion of a sealing surface and a cylinder form. The high pressure pump has an intermediate member including a cylinder body (4). The cylinder body has a pressurizing chamber (14) communicated with a cylinder (4a) accommodating a plunger (12). Fluid in the pressurizing chamber is pressurized by reciprocating the plunger. The intermediate member is arranged between a cover (6) and a flange (8) and clamped by a clamping bolt (40). The clamping bolt has an exposed area (40a) at its axially central area where the entire periphery of the clamping bolt is exposed from the cover and the flange. One or both of the cover and the flange clamp the intermediate member with a flexing elastic force.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated fuel injection valve includes a container into which fuel is introduced, a needle member that is disposed in the container and that moves longitudinally, and an electromagnetic controller provided with first and second magnetic circuits through which suction forces can be controlled independently of each other. The electromagnetic controller changes an area of a fuel flow passage defined as a space between an inner surface of the container and an outer surface of the needle member by moving the needle member by means of the suction forces. The fuel injection valve may provide two limit strokes to achieve variable injection rates.

Abstract: A high pressure pump includes a cylinder body. The cylinder body has a cylinder and a valve recess communicated with the cylinder. A cover is attached to the cylinder body to surround the valve recess. A plunger reciprocates in the cylinder. An electromagnetic valve has a pressurizing chamber, a valve hole connected to the pressurizing chamber and a valve body. The valve body selectively opens and closes the valve hole. The electromagnetic valve is fixed to the cover. When fluid is pressurized in the pressurizing chamber, the valve hole is closed by the valve body and the plunger enters the pressurizing chamber. A seal ring is located between an outer surface of the electromagnetic valve and an inner surface of the valve recess. The seal ring seals the pressurizing chamber. This reliably seals a pressurizing chamber and improves the displacement efficiency.

Abstract: A developer container for use in an image forming apparatus including a supporting member rotating around a rotation shaft thereof. A plurality of developing devices are arranged on the supporting member, each developing device including a developer supplying device. A plurality of cylindrically-shaped developer containers containing developer are provided, each developer container having an opening and a guide, and each developer container being detachably mounted on the developer supplying device. A container rotating device rotates the developer container, in which the guide is arranged that when one of the developing devices needs to be filled with the developer, the container rotating device rotates the developer container to transfer the developer in the developer container to the opening in accordance with a rotating movement of the developer container.

Abstract: A high pressure pump includes a cylinder body. The cylinder body has a cylinder and a valve recess communicated with the cylinder. A cover is attached to the cylinder body to surround the valve recess. A plunger reciprocates in the cylinder. An electromagnetic valve has a pressurizing chamber, a valve hole connected to the pressurizing chamber and a valve body. The valve body selectively opens and closes the valve hole. The electromagnetic valve is fixed to the cover. When fluid is pressurized in the pressurizing chamber, the valve hole is closed by the valve body and the plunger enters the pressurizing chamber. A seal ring is located between an outer surface of the electromagnetic valve and an inner surface of the valve recess. The seal ring seals the pressurizing chamber. This reliably seals a pressurizing chamber and improves the displacement efficiency.

Abstract: An end of toner detector to be utilized in a toner cartridge of a developing apparatus of an image forming apparatus. A developing device develops latent images formed on an image bearing member so as to form toner images. A toner storage unit deposits toner to supply to the developing device. A light path forming unit protrudes from a wall of the toner storage unit into an interior of the toner storage unit and forms the light path through which light passes in the toner storage unit. A light sensor includes a light emitting unit which emits light and a light receiving unit which receives light emitted from the light emitting unit. Further, the light sensor outputs signals which smoothly change according to an amount of toner in the light path formed in the light forming unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a development unit rotatably supported by a body of the apparatus and including a plurality of developing subunits and a plurality of replaceable developer containers each storing a developer to be replenished to a particular one of the developing subunits. Also included is a stepping motor configured to cause the developing unit to rotate in order to bring any one of the developing subunits to a developing position, a preventing mechanism configured to prevent the developing unit from rotating at a time of replacement of any one of the developer containers due to an unexpected change in a voltage or a current driving the stepping motor, and a locking portion included in either one of the developing unit and the body and an engaging portion included in the other of the developing unit and the body, in which the locking portion and the engaging portion selectively engaging with each other for preventing the developing unit from rotating.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An injection hole thereof has a width larger than a height thereof. In the fuel injector, the fuel before being injected is imparted with a swirl component about the center axis of the injection hole by a spiral groove.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a supporting member rotating around a rotation shaft thereof. A plurality of developing devices are arranged on the supporting member, each developing device including a developer supplying device. A plurality of cylindrically-shaped developer containers containing developer are provided, each developer container having an opening and a guide, and each developer container being detachably mounted on the developer supplying device. A container rotating device rotates the developer container, in which the guide is arranged that when one of the developing devices needs to be filled with the developer, the container rotating device rotates the developer container to transfer the developer in the developer container to the opening in accordance with a rotation movement of the developer container.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus having a revolving type developing unit detachably installed therein. The revolving type developing unit includes a plurality of different color developing devices each having a developing roller therein. Each of the developing rollers is movably mounted on the developing device so that a gap between each of the developing rollers and a periphery of a photoconductive drum which is to be formed when the revolving type developing unit is set in the color image forming apparatus is enabled to be adjusted.

Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. In the fuel injector, an opening on the outer side of the injection hole has a width generally larger than a height thereof. The width of the injection hole is gradually narrowed inward so that the fuel is injected at a predetermined angle in the direction of width. The height of the injection hole is nearly uniform in the direction of injecting the fuel within the predetermined angle in the direction of width. A height at both ends of the opening on the outer side of the injection hole is larger than the height at the central portion thereof.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a developing device to develop a latent image on a surface of the image bearing member, a developer bearing member including a magnet therein, which bears developer on a surface thereof by a magnetic force of the magnet and carries the developer towards a developing position facing the image bearing member by being rotated, a limiting member that is placed facing the developer bearing member so as to limit a thickness of a layer of the developer borne on the developer bearing member, and a developing device casing.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus having a revolving type developing unit detachably installed therein. The revolving type developing unit includes a plurality of different color developing devices each having a developing roller therein. Each of the developing rollers is movably mounted on the developing device so that a gap between each of the developing rollers and a periphery of a photoconductive drum which is to be formed when the revolving type developing unit is set in the color image forming apparatus is enabled to be adjusted.

Abstract: A rotary developing device includes a developing unit having a plurality of developing chambers arranged around an axis of rotation of the developing unit and each having a developer agitating mechanism thereinside wherein the rotary developing device is rotatable about the axis to locate any one of the plurality of developing chambers at a developing position where an image carrier is located. The device includes a drive inputting device located in proximity with the axis of the rotation for inputting a driving force to the agitating mechanism of one of the plurality of developing chambers which is located at the developing position. A drive transmitting mechanism is provided which transmits at a developing units side, a driving force to at least one of the plurality of developing chambers not located at the developing position.