Abstract: Provided is a fluoropolymer containing a polymerization unit (I) derived from a monomer (I) represented by the general formula (I) and a polymerization unit (II) derived from a monomer (II) represented by the formula (II): CX1X3?CX2R(—CZ1Z2-A0)m??(I) wherein X1 and X3 are each independently F, Cl, H, or CF3; X2 is H, F, an alkyl group, or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; A0 is an anionic group; R is a linking group; Z1 and Z2 are each independently H, F, an alkyl group, or a fluorine-containing alkyl group; and m is an integer of 1 or more; and CHF?CHF??(II)

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer member, a conveyance unit arranged upstream of a transfer portion in a sheet conveyance direction, an upstream conveyance unit arranged upstream of the conveyance unit, a drive unit configured to drive the conveyance unit; and a controller to control the drive unit to change a conveyance speed of the conveyance unit. In a case where a trailing edge of the sheet passes through the upstream conveyance unit after a leading edge of the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction has entered the transfer portion, the conveyance unit conveys the sheet by a first speed before the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the upstream conveyance unit, and by a second speed that is faster than the first speed after the trailing edge of the sheet has passed through the upstream conveyance unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer member, a conveyance unit arranged upstream of a transfer portion in a sheet conveyance direction, an upstream conveyance unit arranged upstream of the conveyance unit, a drive unit configured to drive the conveyance unit; and a controller configured to control the drive unit to change a conveyance speed of the conveyance unit so that, in a case where a trailing edge of the sheet passes through the upstream conveyance unit after a leading edge of the sheet in the sheet conveyance direction has entered the transfer portion, the conveyance unit conveys the sheet by a first speed before the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the upstream conveyance unit, and by a second speed that is faster than the first speed after the trailing edge of the sheet has passed through the upstream conveyance unit.

Abstract: A lighting device has a direct-current power generation circuit, a rectangular-wave generation circuit, a pulse generating circuit, lamp-voltage detection means, and pulse-generation command means. The direct-current power generation circuit generates direct-current power from external power. The rectangular-wave generation circuit converts the direct-current power to rectangular-wave alternating-current power. The pulse generating circuit superposes high-voltage pulses on the rectangular-wave power output from the rectangular-wave generation circuit and starts a discharge lamp. The lamp-voltage detection means detects, in digital form, a lamp voltage supplied to the discharge lamp. The pulse-generation command means issues a pulse generation command to the pulse generating circuit when the value detected by the lamp-voltage detection means reaches a predetermined no-load-voltage determination level.

Abstract: A lighting device has a power-factor correction circuit 6, a step-down chopper circuit 8, a full-bridge circuit 10, control ICs for these circuits and a driving-voltage supply circuit 14. The supply circuit 14 supplies a driving voltage to the control ICs. The control IC outputs the on/off driving voltage to a switching element of the corresponding circuit 6 to 10. The lighting device also has a detector 16 and judgment equipment 18. The detector 16 detects the driving voltage supplied from the supply circuit 14. The judgment equipment 18 instructs the control ICs to start outputting the on/off driving voltages in the order from the control IC close to the power source 2 to the control IC close to the discharge lamp 4 when the driving voltage detected by the detector 16 reaches a predetermined value during the time when the driving voltage supplied from the supply circuit 14 rises.

Abstract: A lighting device has a direct-current power generation circuit, a rectangular-wave generation circuit, a pulse generating circuit, lamp-voltage detection means, and pulse-generation command means. The direct-current power generation circuit generates direct-current power from external power. The rectangular-wave generation circuit converts the direct-current power to rectangular-wave alternating-current power. The pulse generating circuit superposes high-voltage pulses on the rectangular-wave power output from the rectangular-wave generation circuit and starts a discharge lamp. The lamp-voltage detection means detects, in digital form, a lamp voltage supplied to the discharge lamp. The pulse-generation command means issues a pulse generation command to the pulse generating circuit when the value detected by the lamp-voltage detection means reaches a predetermined no-load-voltage determination level.

Abstract: A lighting device has a power-factor correction circuit 6, a step-down chopper circuit 8, a full-bridge circuit 10, control ICs for these circuits and a driving-voltage supply circuit 14. The supply circuit 14 supplies a driving voltage to the control ICs. The control IC outputs the on/off driving voltage to a switching element of the corresponding circuit 6 to 10. The lighting device also has a detector 16 and judgment equipment 18. The detector 16 detects the driving voltage supplied from the supply circuit 14. The judgment equipment 18 instructs the control ICs to start outputting the on/off driving voltages in the order from the control IC close to the power source 2 to the control IC close to the discharge lamp 4 when the driving voltage detected by the detector 16 reaches a predetermined value during the time when the driving voltage supplied from the supply circuit 14 rises.