Abstract: An exposure head configured to expose a photosensitive drum includes: a substrate; a plurality of strip-shaped semiconductor chips each including a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light and a drive circuit that drives the light emitting element, the plurality of semiconductor chips being arranged on the substrate; and a lens array configured to collect light from the light emitting elements on the photosensitive drum. The drive circuit operates between a first potential and a second potential, the light emitting element operates between a third potential and a fourth potential, and a potential difference between the third potential and the fourth potential is equal to or larger than a potential difference between the first potential and the second potential.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, light-emitting chips, and a controller integrated circuit (IC). Provided in each of the light-emitting chips are a plurality of light-emitting units that emit light for exposing the photosensitive member, a circuit unit that turns on and off the plurality of light-emitting units based on image data, and a storage unit that stores control data indicating a target amount of light of the plurality of light-emitting units. The light-emitting chips are arranged along a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive member. Each of the light-emitting chips is connected to the controller IC by a different one of a plurality of signal lines. In a case where the output control data is transmitted from the controller IC to each of the light-emitting chips via the different one of the plurality of signal lines, the transmitted control data is stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A light emitting chip includes: a first data storage unit configured to store data for causing a first light emitting unit to emit light; a second data storage unit configured to store data for causing a second light emitting unit to emit light; a signal output unit configured to output a first trigger signal and a second trigger signal delayed with respect to the first trigger signal; and a drive unit configured to drive the first light emitting unit, in a case where the first trigger signal is output, based on data stored in the first data storage unit, and drive the second light emitting unit, in a case where the second trigger signal is output, based on data stored in the second data storage unit.

Abstract: A light emitting chip includes: a first data storage unit configured to store data for causing a first light emitting unit to emit light; a second data storage unit configured to store data for causing a second light emitting unit to emit light; a signal output unit configured to output a first trigger signal and a second trigger signal delayed with respect to the first trigger signal; and a drive unit configured to drive the first light emitting unit, in a case where the first trigger signal is output, based on data stored in the first data storage unit, and drive the second light emitting unit, in a case where the second trigger signal is output, based on data stored in the second data storage unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an exposure head including a light emitting portion that includes a first electrode layer including a plurality of electrodes that are two-dimensionally arranged in a rotation direction and a rotational axis direction of a photosensitive member, a light emitting layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer through which light is transmissible; and a controller configured to control a voltage applied to each of the plurality of electrodes in such a way that one pixel is formed by controlling the voltage applied to the plurality of electrodes arranged at different positions in the rotation direction, in which the plurality of electrodes are arranged in such a way that a pitch of the plurality of electrodes included in the first electrode layer in the rotation direction is an integer multiple of a resolution of an image formed by the image forming apparatus in the rotation direction, excluding an equal multiple.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a light-emitting chip includes: a plurality of light-emitting portions and a drive circuit. The drive circuit includes: first to fourth transferring unit, a first switch configured to switch between a first state in which start signals output by the fourth and third transferring units are output to the second and first transferring unit, respectively, and a second state in which the start signal output by the fourth and the third transferring units are output to the third and second transferring unit, respectively, and a second switch configured to switch between a third state in which the first and third transferring units and the first signal line are connected, and a fourth state in which the first and third transferring units and a second signal line are connected.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, light-emitting chips, and a controller integrated circuit (IC). Provided in each of the light-emitting chips are a plurality of light-emitting units that emit light for exposing the photosensitive member, a circuit unit that turns on and off the plurality of light-emitting units based on image data, and a storage unit that stores control data indicating a target amount of light of the plurality of light-emitting units. The light-emitting chips are arranged along a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive member. Each of the light-emitting chips is connected to the controller IC by a different one of a plurality of signal lines. In a case where the output control data is transmitted from the controller IC to each of the light-emitting chips via the different one of the plurality of signal lines, the transmitted control data is stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an exposure head including a light emitting portion that includes a first electrode layer including a plurality of electrodes that are two-dimensionally arranged in a rotation direction and a rotational axis direction of a photosensitive member, a light emitting layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer through which light is transmissible; and a controller configured to control a voltage applied to each of the plurality of electrodes in such a way that one pixel is formed by controlling the voltage applied to the plurality of electrodes arranged at different positions in the rotation direction, in which the plurality of electrodes are arranged in such a way that a pitch of the plurality of electrodes included in the first electrode layer in the rotation direction is an integer multiple of a resolution of an image formed by the image forming apparatus in the rotation direction, and the integer is greater than one.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a light-emitting chip includes: a plurality of light-emitting portions and a drive circuit. The drive circuit includes: first to fourth transferring unit, a first switch configured to switch between a first state in which start signals output by the fourth and third transferring units are output to the second and first transferring unit, respectively, and a second state in which the start signal output by the fourth and the third transferring units are output to the third and second transferring unit, respectively, and a second switch configured to switch between a third state in which the first and third transferring units and the first signal line are connected, and a fourth state in which the first and third transferring units and a second signal line are connected.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, light-emitting chips, and a controller integrated circuit (IC). Provided in each of the light-emitting chips are a plurality of light-emitting units that emit light for exposing the photosensitive member, a circuit unit that turns on and off the plurality of light-emitting units based on image data, and a storage unit that stores control data indicating a target amount of light of the plurality of light-emitting units. The light-emitting chips are arranged along a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive member. Each of the light-emitting chips is connected to the controller IC by a different one of a plurality of signal lines. In a case where the output control data is transmitted from the controller IC to each of the light-emitting chips via the different one of the plurality of signal lines, the transmitted control data is stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: An exposure head includes a circuit board that is rectangular, a light emitting chip, an integrated circuit (IC), a power supply wire, and a bypass capacitor. The light emitting chip emits light to expose a photoconductor that is rotating. The light emitting chip includes a plurality of light emitting units arranged in a longer side direction of the circuit board, and the light emitting chip is disposed on a front surface of the circuit board. The IC is disposed on a back surface of the circuit board and transfers image data for controlling turn-on and turn-off of the plurality of light emitting units to the light emitting chip. The power supply wire supplies a current from a power source to the IC. The bypass capacitor is disposed on the front surface and is electrically connected to the power supply wire and a ground.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light-emitting chip, a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting chips are mounted, a controller, and a switch. The light-emitting chip includes a light-emitting portion, which emits light exposing a photosensitive drum surface based on supply of a driving current to the light-emitting portion, and a driving portion that drives the light-emitting portion. The controller controls the driving portion by transmitting a signal to the light-emitting chip and outputs a digital signal corresponding to a target amount of light of the light-emitting portion to the light-emitting chip. Based on a control signal from the controller, the switch switches a connection state between the voltage source and the D/A converter to a first state where the voltage source supplies the reference voltage to the D/A converter, and a second state where an electrical connection between the voltage source and the D/A converter is disconnected.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light-emitting chip, a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting chips are mounted, a controller, and a switch. The light-emitting chip includes a light-emitting portion, which emits light exposing a photosensitive drum surface based on supply of a driving current to the light-emitting portion, and a driving portion that drives the light-emitting portion. The controller controls the driving portion by transmitting a signal to the light-emitting chip and outputs a digital signal corresponding to a target amount of light of the light-emitting portion to the light-emitting chip. Based on a control signal from the controller, the switch switches a connection state between the voltage source and the D/A converter to a first state where the voltage source supplies the reference voltage to the D/A converter, and a second state where an electrical connection between the voltage source and the D/A converter is disconnected.

Abstract: A light emitting chip includes: a first data storage unit configured to store data for causing a first light emitting unit to emit light; a second data storage unit configured to store data for causing a second light emitting unit to emit light; a signal output unit configured to output a first trigger signal and a second trigger signal delayed with respect to the first trigger signal; and a drive unit configured to drive the first light emitting unit, in a case where the first trigger signal is output, based on data stored in the first data storage unit, and drive the second light emitting unit, in a case where the second trigger signal is output, based on data stored in the second data storage unit.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus including: a photosensitive member that is driven to rotate; an exposure head that includes a plurality of light-emitting portions arranged at different positions in an axial direction of the photosensitive member, wherein each of pixels of an image corresponding to an output resolution of the image forming apparatus is formed by multiple light-emitting portions of the plurality of light-emitting portions, and a control unit configured to control the number of light-emitting portions to be driven to form each of the pixels of the image based on correction data.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a light-emitting chip includes: a plurality of light-emitting portions and a drive circuit. The drive circuit includes: first to fourth transferring unit, a first switch configured to switch between a first state in which start signals output by the fourth and third transferring units are output to the second and first transferring unit, respectively, and a second state in which the start signal output by the fourth and the third transferring units are output to the third and second transferring unit, respectively, and a second switch configured to switch between a third state in which the first and third transferring units and the first signal line are connected, and a fourth state in which the first and third transferring units and a second signal line are connected.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, light-emitting chips, and a controller integrated circuit (IC). Provided in each of the light-emitting chips are a plurality of light-emitting units that emit light for exposing the photosensitive member, a circuit unit that turns on and off the plurality of light-emitting units based on image data, and a storage unit that stores control data indicating a target amount of light of the plurality of light-emitting units. The light-emitting chips are arranged along a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive member. Each of the light-emitting chips is connected to the controller IC by a different one of a plurality of signal lines. In a case where the output control data is transmitted from the controller IC to each of the light-emitting chips via the different one of the plurality of signal lines, the transmitted control data is stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light-emitting chip, a substrate on which a plurality of light emitting chips are mounted, a controller, and a switch. The light-emitting chip includes a light-emitting portion, which emits light exposing a photosensitive drum surface based on supply of a driving current to the light-emitting portion, and a driving portion that drives the light-emitting portion. The controller controls the driving portion by transmitting a signal to the light-emitting chip and outputs a digital signal corresponding to a target amount of light of the light-emitting portion to the light-emitting chip. Based on a control signal from the controller, the switch switches a connection state between the voltage source and the D/A converter to a first state where the voltage source supplies the reference voltage to the D/A converter, and a second state where an electrical connection between the voltage source and the D/A converter is disconnected.

Abstract: An exposure head configured to expose a photosensitive drum includes: a substrate; a plurality of strip-shaped semiconductor chips each including a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light and a drive circuit that drives the light emitting element, the plurality of semiconductor chips being arranged on the substrate; and a lens array configured to collect light from the light emitting elements on the photosensitive drum. The drive circuit operates between a first potential and a second potential, the light emitting element operates between a third potential and a fourth potential, and a potential difference between the third potential and the fourth potential is equal to or larger than a potential difference between the first potential and the second potential.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an exposure head including a light emitting portion that includes a first electrode layer including a plurality of electrodes that are two-dimensionally arranged in a rotation direction and a rotational axis direction of a photosensitive member, a light emitting layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer through which light is transmissible; and a controller configured to control a voltage applied to each of the plurality of electrodes in such a way that one pixel is formed by controlling the voltage applied to the plurality of electrodes arranged at different positions in the rotation direction, in which the plurality of electrodes are arranged in such a way that a pitch of the plurality of electrodes included in the first electrode layer in the rotation direction is an integer multiple of a resolution of an image formed by the image forming apparatus in the rotation direction, excluding an equal multiple.