Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a cylinder and flanges provided on end portions in the axial direction of the cylinder. One flange has an outer peripheral portion, a hole portion and ribs, and the flange is caulked by bending part of the cylinder inwardly in the radial direction at two positions opposing each other across the hole portion, those two positions being other than positions at which the ribs intersect the outer peripheral portion in the extending direction of the ribs.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum includes a non-circular twisted projection, provided at one longitudinal end of the drum, having a cross-section with a plurality of corner portions, and being engageable with a non-circular twisted hole located at a central portion of a driving rotatable member of a main assembly of an image forming apparatus and has a cross-section with a plurality of corner portions; and a second electroconductive member contactable with a first electroconductive member electrically connected with the main assembly of the image forming apparatus. The first electroconductive member is disposed in the hole to ground the drum. The second electroconductive member is provided on the projection and electrically connected with the drum. The contact position between the first and second electroconductive members moves in interrelation with the projection being retracted toward the hole by rotation of the driving rotatable member when the projection is engaged with the hole.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus configured to form a toner image on a photoconductive element and transfer it to a recording medium of the present invention, the photoconductive element and an image transferring member pressed thereagainst are constructed into an image transferring unit. The image transferring unit is removable from the casing of the apparatus independently of image forming devices arranged around the photoconductive element other than the image transferring member.

Abstract: A process cartridge which is capable of being carried on a movable guide provided in the main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and which is movable from a receiving position toward a mount position in interrelation with movement of the movable guide, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process means actable on the drum; a cartridge frame supporting the drum and the process means; a first portion to be carried, provided at one longitudinal end of the drum, for being supported by the movable guide; a second portion to be carried, provided at the other longitudinal end of the drum, for being supported by the movable guide; a first positioning portion to be positioned relative to a main assembly, the first positioning portion extending outwardly from the cartridge frame adjacent the one longitudinal end of the drum; a second positioning portion to be positioned relative to the main assembly, the second positioning portion extending outwardly from the cartridge frame adja

Abstract: A photoreceptive unit and transfer unit replacement system of a printer includes a door opening and closing an entrance formed above a portion where a photoreceptive unit and a transfer unit are installed in a main body of the printer. A first guide rail is provided at a frame of the main body to guide the photoreceptive unit which enters through the entrance and descends. A second guide rail is provided at the frame to guide the transfer unit which enters through the entrance and descends. A locking unit locks and unlocks the photoreceptive unit and the transfer unit according to an operation of opening and closing the door. Thus, since the operation of opening and closing the door are performed according to the operation of locking and unlocking the respective photoreceptive unit and transfer units, and the photoreceptive unit and transfer units pass through the entrance disposed above the units, a replacement process can be performed more conveniently and stably.

Abstract: In a structure for rotatably supporting a rotary body including a rotary shaft of the present invention, the rotary shaft is assembled integrally with or rigidly affixed to end plates, which are fitted in axially opposite ends of the rotary body, beforehand. The rotary body is therefore rotatable relative to or integrally with the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement having an optical photo-conductive drum including drum exterior and interior surfaces surrounding and extending along a longitudinal axis, the drum exterior surface facing away from the longitudinal axis, and the drum interior surface facing toward the longitudinal axis and including first and second open ends and at least one protrusion disposed apart from the first and second open ends. A flange includes a flange interior surface disposed in the first open end, a flange exterior surface disposed outside of the first open end, a flange side surface connecting the flange interior and exterior surfaces, and at least one receiving portion. The at least one protrusion is disposed in the at least one receiving portion.

Abstract: An image forming means positioning method of the present invention positions a plurality of image carrier units and a plurality of developing units by mounting them between a pair of side walls included in an image forming apparatus. The method includes the steps of mounting a positioning jig between the side walls to thereby position a plurality of unit support members, affixing the unit support members to one of the side walls, removing the positioning jig, and causing the unit support members to support the image carrier units and developing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising a pair of stationary side walls arranged in an image forming apparatus body and a plurality of photosensitive drum units supported between the stationary side walls. Each photosensitive drum unit comprises a drum-holding frame for holding a photosensitive drum, a head-holding frame for holding an LED head, and a pressing means for pressing the head-holding frame from one side toward the other side in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for use in a electrophotographic imaging machine comprises a photosensitive drum, process means acting upon the photosensitive drum and a rotating shaft which extends to the whole length of the drum along the drum's axis. A mounting component is provided which supports the photosensitive drum on the shaft, the mounting component producing electrical continuity between the inside surface of the photosensitive drum and the shaft.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement having an optical photo-conductive drum including drum exterior and interior surfaces surrounding and extending along a longitudinal axis, the drum exterior surface facing away from the longitudinal axis, and the drum interior surface facing toward the longitudinal axis and including first and second open ends and at least one drum receiving portion. A flange includes a flange interior surface disposed in the first open end, a flange exterior surface disposed outside of the first open end, a flange side surface connecting the flange interior and exterior surfaces, and at least one flange receiving portion. At least one connector is disposed in the at least one drum receiving portion and the at least one flange receiving portion to connect and/or to secure the optical photo-conductive drum and the flange.

Abstract: A ground plate for a photosensitive drum assembly including a planar member having a central portion and a plurality of legs extending from the central portion. Each of the legs includes at least one projection extending therefrom. The projections are configured to scratch the inner surface of a photosensitive drum to make electrical contact between the ground plate and the photosensitive drum. The ground plate also includes a central aperture including spring contacts for engagement with a ground pin.

Abstract: A transmission comprises a rotary shaft; a gear secured to the rotary shaft coaxially; and a regulative member secured to the rotary shaft. This regulative member press-contacts one end of the gear to maintain the gear exactly perpendicular to an axis of the rotary shaft. A photosensitive drum is fit to the gear. The regulative member is secured on the rotary shaft by press fitting.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus capable of being connected by sliding and transferring power when being connected. The apparatus has a first coupler having a plurality of first ribs protruding at an outer circumference of a body at a regular interval and a second coupler having a connection portion to embrace and be separated from the body of the first coupler, and a plurality of second ribs protruding at an inner circumference of the connection portion, the plurality of second ribs being connected between the plurality of first ribs, wherein each of front ends of the first ribs and the second ribs have sloping sides sloped in a predetermined direction, and the first ribs include a rib having a relatively longer length than the other ribs.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a process device actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a load producing member for imparting a load on a peripheral surface of a cylindrical member rotatable with the photosensitive drum to increase a rotational torque required for rotation of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: In a structure for rotatably supporting a rotary body including a rotary shaft of the present invention, the rotary shaft is assembled integrally with or rigidly affixed to end plates, which are fitted in axially opposite ends of the rotary body, beforehand. The rotary body is therefore rotatable relative to or integrally with the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, the apparatus including a motor, a driving rotatable member for transmitting a driving force from the motor, and a twisted recess being rotatable integrally with the driving rotatable member. The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a process device actable on the drum, a twisted projection being engageable with the recess, and a permitting portion for permitting engagement between the twisted protection and the recess only at a predetermined relative rotational position therebetween to establish the engagement therebetween with the predetermined relative to rotational position.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including: a cylinder; and flanges provided on end portions in the axial direction of the cylinder, wherein the flange has an outer peripheral portion, a hole portion and ribs, and the flange is caulked by bending part of the cylinder inwardly in the radius direction at two positions opposing each other across the hole portion, those two positions being other than positions at which the ribs intersect the outer peripheral portion in directions of the extending direction of the ribs.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a plurality of components that form image forming means and should be mounted or dismounted in a preselected order. Following one of the components with respect to the preselected order cannot be dismounted from the apparatus until preceding one of the same has been dismounted. The components are mounted to the apparatus in the reverse order. The components unremovable from the apparatus and positioned above the removable components in a preselected dismounting direction are retractable.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement having an optical photo-conductive drum including drum exterior and interior surfaces surrounding and extending along a longitudinal axis, the drum exterior surface facing away from the longitudinal axis, and the drum interior surface facing toward the longitudinal axis and including first and second open ends and at least one protrusion disposed apart from the first and second open ends. A flange includes a flange interior surface disposed in the first open end, a flange exterior surface disposed outside of the first open end, a flange side surface connecting the flange interior and exterior surfaces, and at least one receiving portion. The at least one protrusion is disposed in the at least one receiving portion.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement having an optical photo-conductive drum including drum exterior and interior surfaces surrounding and extending along a longitudinal axis, the drum exterior surface facing away from the longitudinal axis, and the drum interior surface facing toward the longitudinal axis and including first and second open ends and at least one drum receiving portion. A flange includes a flange interior surface disposed in the first open end, a flange exterior surface disposed outside of the first open end, a flange side surface connecting the flange interior and exterior surfaces, and at least one flange receiving portion. At least one connector is disposed in the at least one drum receiving portion and the at least one flange receiving portion to connect and/or to secure the optical photo-conductive drum and the flange.

Abstract: An image forming device including a photosensitive body and a support. The support supports the photosensitive body in a rotatable condition by supporting the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive body.

Abstract: A cantilever drum-mounting apparatus adapted for use in a document printer/copier having a housing having: an opening therein; a carriage movably mounted within the opening and adapted to receive, retain and rotatably support an axle of a drum; and a plurality of guide mechanisms, rotatably mounted on the carriage and engageable with opposing outer surface of the housing, for limiting movement of the carriage to a direction substantially normal to the axis for drum rotation. Preferably, movement of the carriage is controlled by the actuator of an air cylinder that cooperates with one or more reference surfaces within the housing opening to locate the drum axle at a desired position.

Abstract: A photoconductive drum assembly and an optical writer used in an electrophotographic printer/copier share the same mechanical fiducials for positioning these subsystems within the printer/copier frame or housing. Preferably, a pair of mounting pins used to position and support the drum assembly in a printer frame is also used to position the optical writer. As a result of this mounting scheme, a tolerance stacking problem is reduced and each subsystem can be removed from the printer housing without disturbing the position of the other. Further, the need for a mechanism to retract the optical writer from the vicinity of the drum surface to facilitate drum removal is eliminated, thereby lowering cost and increasing reliability.

Abstract: A multi-element gudgeon assembly including (a) a sleeve element having a central bore of substantially uniform diameter, such bore being adapted to receive one end of a rotatable axle; (b) a circular flange element having a central collar portion slidably mounted on the outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve element, and having an outer rim portion adapted to engage, center and support an end of a cylindrical drum for rotation with axle; and (c) a stub axle element mounted on one end of the sleeve element and cooperating with structure on the outer surface of the sleeve element to position the flange element at a fixed desired location on the sleeve element.

Abstract: A cylinder with a functional layer (23) and with a supporting body (1), which passes through the cylinder. On the supporting body (1), a sleeve that accommodates the functional layer (23) is supported at ends (2, 5). The supporting body (1) is for its part accommodated on supporting elements (10, 11, 13) provided on the frame side. The cylinder sleeve (3) that accommodates the functional layer (23) can be centered in relation to the axis of rotation (8) by centering faces (6, 7) formed at the ends (2, 5). One end of the cylinder can be exposed at the supporting element (13).

Abstract: Photoconductor drum having a hollow cylindrical base element with a coating on the outer surface including at least one photosensitive layer, the base element concentrically accommodating at least one core element which is made at least partially cylindrical and which is made at least partially of plastic, the core element on its outer surface which comes into contact with the inside of the base element having irregularities or roughness.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a plurality of image making units each including a carrier unit and a developing unit, the carrier unit having an image carrier for forming a latent image thereon, the developing unit having a developing device configured to develop the latent image formed on a respective one of the image carriers into a toner image, and a plurality of common guide members each configured to guide a respective one of the developing units in one of the plurality of image making units and a respective one of the carrier units in another one of the plurality of image making units when the plurality of image making units are attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A photoconductive sleeved primary image-forming member roller for use in an electrophotographic machine comprising a central member including a rigid cylindrical core member and a compliant layer formed on the core member; and a flexible, replaceable, removable, photoconductive sleeve member in the form of an endless tubular belt that surrounds and nonadhesively intimately contacts the central member.

Abstract: A developer reference system for a contact development process having machine frame mounted support rollers for the developer roll. Skew between the PC drum and the developer roll is reduced by referencing each to the same support structure. Rolling resistance of the developer roll support rollers is reduced by using thin diameter metal pins for mounting the support rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image is provided, in which a rotational member, such as a photoreceptor drum, is borne by using a rolling bearing assuring electric conduction between an inner ring and an outer ring by filling electroconductive grease. Rotation of a photoreceptor drum is borne by using a electroconductive rolling bearing having a resistance between the inner ring and the outer ring of about 15 k&OHgr; or less in terms of a maximum value and about 8 k&OHgr; or less in terms of an effective value under a dynamic condition, where a radial or thrust load acting between the inner ring and the outer ring is 10 N, and a relative difference in rotational velocity between the inner ring and the outer ring is 150 rpm, and the photoreceptor drum is rotated at about 75 rpm or more.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus capable of being connected by sliding and transferring power when being connected . The apparatus has a first coupler having a plurality of first ribs protruding at an outer circumference of a body at a regular interval and a second coupler having a connection portion to embrace and be separated from the body of the first coupler, and a plurality of second ribs protruding at an inner circumference of the connection portion, the plurality of second ribs being connected between the plurality of first ribs, wherein each of front ends of the first ribs and the second ribs have sloping sides sloped in a predetermined direction, and the first ribs include a rib having a relatively longer length than the other ribs.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for facilitating the loading of a hollow cylindrical drum, for example, an image-recording drum in an electrostatographic printer or the like, onto a rotatably driven drum axle having a free end extending outwardly in a cantilever manner from a support frame and having a longitudinally-extending axis of rotation. According to a preferred embodiment, such apparatus generally comprises a plurality of slide mechanisms disposed at equal distances from each other and from the intended axis of drum rotation. Each of the slide mechanisms comprises a pair of elongated slide members extending parallel to said axis of rotation, one of the slide members of each of each pair being rigidly supported by said drum axle, and the other slide members of each pair being slidably mounted on the rigidly supported slide members for movement parallel to the drum axis.

Abstract: An image forming cartridge and an image forming apparatus equipped with the image forming cartridge is provided which enables a photoreceptor drum to be surely grounded and costs to be reduced. The image forming cartridge is made up of the photoreceptor drum having conductive members, a conductive drum supporting member being fixed in a manner to contact the conductive member, a gear to be contacted with a driving gear when being placed at the image forming apparatus and to be adapted to transfer rotation from the driving gear to the photoreceptor drum and to produce thrust at a time of transfer of rotation, a drum shaft composed of conductors and contacting a part of inner circumferential face of the drum supporting member, collar composed of conductors and being fitted into the drum shaft and an E ring to position the collar.

Abstract: A photoconductive sleeved primary image-forming member roller for use in an electrophotographic machine comprising a central member including a rigid cylindrical core member and a compliant layer formed on the core member; and a flexible replaceable removable photoconductive sleeve member in the form of an endless tubular belt that surrounds and non-adhesively intimately contacts the central member.

Abstract: A bearing for use in a reproduction machine includes an elongated body having an elongated first portion and an elongated second portion. The first portion extends radially outward from the second portion. The second portion includes a lumen for receiving and supporting a shaft. Resilient elongated members originate from the second portion and extend radially outward toward the first portion and are spaced from the second portion over a portion thereof. The resilient members are movable between a first position and a second position for removable securement to a wall in a reproduction machine.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, includes a developing member for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a toner accommodation frame having a developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer to be used by a developing member to develop the electrostatic latent image, a drum frame for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing frame for supporting the developing member, the developing frame being swingably coupled with the toner accommodation frame, a first end cover connected with the drum frame and the developing frame at one longitudinal end of each of the drum frame and the developing frame, and a second end cover connected with the drum frame and the developing frame at the other longitudinal end of the drum frame and the developing frame.

Abstract: An image forming device is proposed in which a photoreceptor can be replaced easily, and in which it is unlikely that an image problem is caused by a grounding failure of a photoreceptor.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a charger for charging the photosensitive drum, a developer for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum into a toner image, a transferrer for transferring the toner image onto the recording material, a fixer for fixing the toner image on the recording material, a motor, a main assembly side gear for receiving a driving force from the motor, and a hole formed at the longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum. The hole has a polygonal cross-section. The apparatus also includes a projection formed substantially at a center of the gear. When the main assembly side gear rotates with the hole and projection engaged with each other, a rotational driving force is transmitted from the gear to the photosensitive drum through the hole and the projection with the projection is pulled into the hole.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; charging means for charging the photosensitive drum; developing means for developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum into a toner image; transfer means for transferring the toner image onto the recording material; fixing means for fixing the toner image on the recording material; a motor; a main assembly side gear for receiving driving force from the motor; a recess formed substantially at a center of the gear, the recess having a polygonal cross-section; a projection provided at a longitudinal end of the photosensitive drum, wherein when the main assembly side gear rotates with the recess and projection engaged with each other, rotational driving force is transmitted from the gear to the photosensitive drum through the recess and the projection with the projection being pulled into the recess, wherein a free end of the projection and a bottom surfac

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image is provided, in which a rotational member, such as a photoreceptor drum, is borne by using a rolling bearing assuring electric conduction between an inner ring and an outer ring by filling electroconductive grease. Rotation of a photoreceptor drum is borne by using a electroconductive rolling bearing having a resistance between the inner ring and the outer ring of about 15 k&OHgr; or less in terms of a maximum value and about 8 k&OHgr; or less in terms of an effective value under a dynamic condition, where a radial or thrust load acting between the inner ring and the outer ring is 10 N, and a relative difference in rotational velocity between the inner ring and the outer ring is 150 rpm, and the photoreceptor drum is rotated at about 75 rpm or more.

Abstract: A flange assembly having modular mounting features for receiving and removably securing a component such as a gear thereon. The flange assembly is for use with an imaging member such as a photoreceptor drum.

Abstract: A developer reference system for a contact development process having machine frame mounted support rollers for the developer roll. Skew between the PC drum and the developer roll is reduced by referencing each to the same support structure. Rolling resistance of the developer roll support rollers is reduced by using thin diameter metal pins for mounting the support rollers.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a process device acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a cartridge frame for supporting the photosensitive drum; a first bearing member which is arranged in the cartridge frame and rotatably supports a shaft projected from one end of the photosensitive drum in its longitudinal direction, and has a first exposure portion exposed from the cartridge frame; and a second bearing member which is arranged in the cartridge frame and rotatably supports a shaft projected from the other end of the photosensitive drum in its longitudinal direction, and has a second exposure portion exposed from the cartridge frame;.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a first image bearing member for bearing an image thereon; a second image bearing member for bearing an image thereon; the images on the first image bearing member and the second image bearing member being sequentially superimposed and transferred to a transfer medium; and a supporting device for supporting each of the rotary shafts of the first image bearing member and the second image bearing member; the supporting device being provided with a first supporting member for supporting each of the rotary shafts for movement in a first direction, and a second supporting member for supporting each of the rotary shafts for movement in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: A light-sensitive unit used in an image-forming device such as an electrostatic copier or printer, which enables one to easily mount and demount a light-sensitive drum without removing an electrically charging device and with no fear of damaging an edge of a cleaning blade. A second process unit (light-sensitive unit) has a resin-made frame having a cleaning device and includes a light-sensitive drum and an electrically charging device, which are removably mounted therein respectively. The light-sensitive drum is mounted in the frame by first axially inserting its rear-end bearing portion into a rear-side drum-holder and by horizontally turning its front-end bearing portion and placing it in a front-side drum-holder along a guide groove provided in the side thereof. Finally, a stopper is fitted in the front-side drum-holder to prevent the drum from slipping out of the holder.

Abstract: An image forming device including a photosensitive body and a support. The support supports the photosensitive body in a rotatable condition by supporting the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive body.

Abstract: A laser printer including a printer main body having a mounting portion exposed by opening a front door which is mounted on a front side of the printer main body; a side door unit mounted on a side of the printer main body to be opened and closed and rotatably supporting a transfer roller; a developing unit removably mounted in the mounting portion and having a photosensitive drum in contact with the transfer roller when mounted in the mounting portion and an opening for exposing the photosensitive drum to the external environment; an interlock device for preventing the mounted developing unit from being; removed from the mounting portion when the side door unit is closed; and a shutter device associated in operation with the interlock device to close the opening when the side door unit is opened, and expose the opening when the side door unit is closed.

Abstract: A printing machine is provided which includes a body 1 having an opening 5, a drum support member 2 located in the body and having a head section 9 formed with an ink receptor port 8, and a turn table 11 mounted on the drum support member 2 for rotating movement and having a bottle guide to receive an ink bottle. The turn table 11 is freely rotatable between a bottle exchange position to allow an ink bottle 12 to be inserted into the bottle guide 14 through the opening 5 and a bottle receiving position to allow the ink bottle 12 set up in the bottle guide 14 to be received in an inner space of the opening 5.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a first engaging member fixed to a rotary shaft of a photosensitive drum, a second engaging member into which an engaging portion engageable with the first engaging member, a positioning hole fitting onto the rotary shaft to support the rotary shaft, and a shaft portion fitted into a bearing portion arranged in an apparatus main body to be rotatably supported by the bearing portion, and a gear connected to a driving source are integrally formed, and an urging member for urging the second engaging member against the first engaging member in an axial direction of the rotary shaft, wherein with a state in which the shaft portion of the second engaging member is fitted into the bearing portion arranged in the apparatus main body to be rotatably supported by the bearing portion and a state in which the rotary shaft is fitted into the positioning hole of the second engaging member to be supported by the positioning hole, and the engaging portion of the second engaging member is