Abstract: An image heating device includes a conveyance belt having a heat generation layer, and a first electrode portion, a second electrode portion and a third electrode portion that are in contact with the heat generation layer. The conveyance belt conveys a recording medium that includes an image. A first heat generation region formed on the conveyance belt between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion generates heat to a first temperature that is equal to or greater than a deformation temperature at which a material forming the image is deformable. A second heat generation region formed between the second electrode portion and the third electrode portion generates heat to a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The first heat generation region and the second heat generation region are located in a region of the conveyance belt to contact the recording medium.

Abstract: An electrothermal heating device for heating a print medium includes an endless belt, a first electrode and a second electrode. The endless belt rotates in a rotational direction about a rotation axis that defines an axial direction, so as to generate heat when the endless belt rotates and is supplied with power. The endless belt includes a base portion made of a nanocomposite material having a carbon filler. The first and second electrodes are in contact with the base portion of the endless belt. The first and second electrodes extend in the axial direction of the endless belt, and are spaced apart in the rotational direction of the endless belt. A volume resistivity of the base portion of the endless belt in the rotational direction is less than a volume resistivity of the base portion in the axial direction.

Abstract: An image heating device includes a conveyance belt having a heat generation layer, and a first electrode portion, a second electrode portion and a third electrode portion that are in contact with the heat generation layer. The conveyance belt conveys a recording medium that includes an image. A first heat generation region formed on the conveyance belt between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion generates heat to a first temperature that is equal to or greater than a deformation temperature at which a material forming the image is deformable. A second heat generation region formed between the second electrode portion and the third electrode portion generates heat to a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The first heat generation region and the second heat generation region are located in a region of the conveyance belt to contact the recording medium.

Abstract: An electrothermal heating device for heating a print medium includes an endless belt, a first electrode and a second electrode. The endless belt rotates in a rotational direction about a rotation axis that defines an axial direction, so as to generate heat when the endless belt rotates and is supplied with power. The endless belt includes a base portion made of a nanocomposite material having a carbon filler. The first and second electrodes are in contact with the base portion of the endless belt. The first and second electrodes extend in the axial direction of the endless belt, and are spaced apart in the rotational direction of the endless belt. A volume resistivity of the base portion of the endless belt in the rotational direction is less than a volume resistivity of the base portion in the axial direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a flow passage associated with a direction of flow and a particle collecting device including a filter to collect particles in a fluid passing through the flow passage in the direction of flow. The flow passage includes a curved portion, and a distribution in particle collecting performance of the filter in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow results from the curved portion of the flow passage.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an airborne particle reduction structure located in an airflow passage and including a first L-shaped baffle and a second L-shaped baffle. The first L-shaped baffle and the second L-shaped baffle each include an overhang extending from a bent portion to a first end and a wind receiver extending from the bent portion to a second end. Additionally, the first end of the first L-shaped baffle and the first end of the second L-shaped baffle are both oriented toward an upstream position of the airflow passage. The second end of the first L-shaped baffle is attached to a first airflow surface of the airflow passage, and the second end of the second L-shaped baffle is attached to a second airflow surface opposing the first airflow surface and located downstream from the first L-shaped baffle.

Abstract: A particle collection system of an imaging apparatus includes an air flow generation device to generate an air flow for transporting airborne particles, a charging device that is located upstream of the air flow generation device in a ventilation direction to charge the floating fine particles in the air flow, and a particle collection device that is located downstream of the charging device in the ventilation direction to collect the airborne particles which are charged by the charging device. The charging device includes a discharging electrode and a counter electrode, and the particle collection device includes a tubular ventilation passage. A length of the tubular ventilation passage in the ventilation direction is greater than an opening diameter of the tubular ventilation passage, and the opening diameter of the tubular ventilation passage is less than or equal to a gap between the discharging electrode and the counter electrode.

Abstract: An imaging system includes: a housing; an ionizer including a first electrode and a second electrode and to charge airborne particles contained in the housing; a particle filter collecting charged particles; and a controller changing an amount of a current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode by electric discharge during a printing operation, in which the controller controls the amount of current based on a print state indicator associated with the printing operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an airborne particle reduction structure located in an airflow passage and including a first L-shaped baffle and a second L-shaped baffle. The first L-shaped baffle and the second L-shaped baffle each include an overhang extending from a bent portion to a first end and a wind receiver extending from the bent portion to a second end. Additionally, the first end of the first L-shaped baffle and the first end of the second L-shaped baffle are both oriented toward an upstream position of the airflow passage. The second end of the first L-shaped baffle is attached to a first airflow surface of the airflow passage, and the second end of the second L-shaped baffle is attached to a second airflow surface opposing the first airflow surface and located downstream from the first L-shaped baffle.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a flow passage associated with a direction of flow and a particle collecting device including a filter to collect particles in a fluid passing through the flow passage in the direction of flow. The flow passage includes a curved portion, and a distribution in particle collecting performance of the filter in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow results from the curved portion of the flow passage.

Abstract: A particle collection system of an imaging apparatus includes an air flow generation device to generate an air flow for transporting airborne particles, a charging device that is located upstream of the air flow generation device in a ventilation direction to charge the floating fine particles in the air flow, and a particle collection device that is located downstream of the charging device in the ventilation direction to collect the airborne particles which are charged by the charging device. The charging device includes a discharging electrode and a counter electrode, and the particle collection device includes a tubular ventilation passage. A length of the tubular ventilation passage in the ventilation direction is greater than an opening diameter of the tubular ventilation passage, and the opening diameter of the tubular ventilation passage is less than or equal to a gap between the discharging electrode and the counter electrode.

Abstract: Provided is a friction material composition comprising: a binder; a fibrous base material; an abrasive material; an inorganic filler; and an organic filler, wherein the friction material composition further comprises: at least one selected from the group consisting of zinc, a cellulose fiber as the fibrous base materials and a flame retardant fiber as the fibrous base materials; an iron-based fiber as the fibrous base material in an specified amount; and an inorganic abrasive material having a Mohs hardness of 8 or higher and a particle size of 1 ?m or larger as the abrasive material in an amount of 1 wt % or less.

Abstract: An on-board optical sensor apparatus includes an optical sensor, an optical sensor cover, and a controller. The optical sensor has a lens. The optical sensor cover includes a holder and a washer nozzle. The holder holds the optical sensor. The washer nozzle performs a washing operation to wash a lens surface of the lens of the optical sensor or a glass surface of a cover glass located facing the lens by spraying a washer fluid, supplied from a washer fluid tank, onto the lens surface or the glass surface. The controller controls the washing operation of the washer nozzle.

Abstract: Provided is a friction material composition comprising: a binder; a fibrous base material; an abrasive material; an inorganic filler; and an organic filler, wherein the friction material composition further comprises: at least one selected from the group consisting of zinc, a cellulose fiber as the fibrous base materials and a flame retardant fiber as the fibrous base materials; an iron-based fiber as the fibrous base material in an specified amount; and an inorganic abrasive material having a Mohs hardness of 8 or higher and a particle size of 1 ?m or larger as the abrasive material in an amount of 1 wt % or less.

Abstract: Provided is a friction material composition comprising: a binder; a fibrous base material; an abrasive material; an inorganic filler; and an organic filler, wherein the friction material composition further comprises: at least one selected from the group consisting of zinc, a cellulose fiber as the fibrous base materials and a flame retardant fiber as the fibrous base materials; an iron-based fiber as the fibrous base material in an specified amount; and an inorganic abrasive material having a Mohs hardness of 8 or higher and a particle size of 1 ?m or larger as the abrasive material in an amount of 1 wt % or less.

Abstract: Provided is a friction material composition comprising: a binder; a fibrous base material; an abrasive material; an inorganic filler; and an organic filler, wherein the friction material composition further comprises: at least one selected from the group consisting of zinc, a cellulose fiber as the fibrous base materials and a flame retardant fiber as the fibrous base materials; an iron-based fiber as the fibrous base material in an specified amount; and an inorganic abrasive material having a Mohs hardness of 8 or higher and a particle size of 1 ?m or larger as the abrasive material in an amount of 1 wt % or less.

Abstract: Provided is a friction material composition comprising: a binder; a fibrous base material; an abrasive material; an inorganic filler; and an organic filler, wherein the friction material composition further comprises: at least one selected from the group consisting of zinc, a cellulose fiber as the fibrous base materials and a flame retardant fiber as the fibrous base materials; an iron-based fiber as the fibrous base material in an specified amount; and an inorganic abrasive material having a Mohs hardness of 8 or higher and a particle size of 1 ?m or larger as the abrasive material in an amount of 1 wt % or less.

Abstract: A developing device is provided capable of properly maintaining charging characteristics of developer and configured to be easily assembled.

Abstract: A vehicle optical sensor device has a snow/ice removal orifice for jetting the cleansing fluid toward an upper space of a lens and an optical sensor cleansing orifice for jetting the cleaning fluid toward a lens surface of the lens of a camera. The jetted fluid from the snow/ice removal orifice and the optical sensor cleansing orifice removes snow/ice protruding from a sensor top cover of a case into a front upper space of the lens in an eaves shape and foreign matter on the lens surface of the lens of the camera.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a friction material composition comprising a fibrous material except for asbestos, an inorganic friction regulating agent, an organic friction regulating agent and a binder, wherein active alumina is contained as the inorganic friction regulating agent, and a fluorine series polymer is contained as the organic friction regulating agent, and to provide a friction material using the friction material composition.