Abstract: A process cartridge includes an image bearer, a developer bearer, and a positioning member. The image bearer is rotatable. The developer bearer is rotatable and opposite to the image bearer. The positioning member determines an opposing distance between the image bearer and the developer bearer, and includes a fitting portion and a groove. A fitted portion of the image bearer rotatably fits to the fitting portion. The groove extends from a ceiling portion to a bottom portion. A shaft portion of the developer bearer is slidingly movable in the groove. The groove is formed such that the shaft portion of the developer bearer contacts the bottom portion and is supported by the bottom portion. The ceiling portion of the groove is open upward so that the shaft portion of the developer bearer is insertable to and removable from the groove.

Abstract: A positioning member defines a facing distance between a first rotating body and a second rotating body. The positioning member includes a fitting portion, a groove, and a restricting member. A fitted portion of the first rotating body is to be rotatably fitted into the fitting portion. The groove has a groove shape extending in a predetermined direction from an opening to an abutting portion. A shaft portion of the second rotating body is to be slidably movable in the groove. The restricting member restricts movement of the shaft portion in the predetermined direction in a state in which the shaft portion abuts on the abutting portion in the groove. The restricting member is detachably disposed on the groove.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control circuit of an isolated power supply including a first transformer and a primary-side transistor connected to a primary winding of the first transformer. The control circuit includes a timing generator that generates a timing signal with reference to an edge of a switching signal generated on a secondary side of the isolated power supply, a sampling circuit that, in response to the timing signal, samples an electric signal to be monitored, the electric signal to be monitored being an electric signal on the secondary side of the isolated power supply, and a feedback controller that, based on an output of the sampling circuit, generates a primary-side pulse signal to be supplied to the primary-side transistor.

Abstract: A switching controller generates control pulses for specifying on/off states of a first transistor and a second transistor. One end of a capacitor is coupled to a switching node. A constant voltage is applied to the other end of the capacitor via a rectifier element. A dead time controller controls a delay time between adjacent edges of the first control pulse and the second control pulse according to a sensing voltage across both ends of the capacitor.

Abstract: A gate drive circuit in a switching circuit including a switching terminal connected to a node that is connected to a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor, and connected to an end of a boot-strap capacitor, a bootstrap terminal connected to another end of the bootstrap capacitor, a high-side driver having an output terminal connected to a gate of the high-side transistor, an upper power supply node connected to the bootstrap terminal, and a lower power supply node connected to the switching terminal, a low-side driver having an output terminal connected to a gate of the low-side transistor, a rectifying device for applying a constant voltage to the bootstrap terminal, and a dead time controller for controlling a length of a dead time during which the high-side transistor and the low-side transistor are simultaneously turned off, based on a potential difference between the bootstrap terminal and the switching terminal.

Abstract: An error detector generates an error signal that corresponds to an error between a feedback signal based on an output of a switching power supply and a target value thereof. A compensator generates a control instruction such that the error signal approaches zero. A pulse modulator generates a pulse signal that corresponds to the control instruction. An auto-tuner automatically optimizes a parameter that defines a response characteristic of the compensator. A degradation estimator generates information with respect to the degradation of an output capacitor of the switching power supply based on the parameter thus automatically optimized.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes an image bearer, a developer bearer, and a positioning member. The image bearer is rotatable. The developer bearer is rotatable and opposite to the image bearer. The positioning member determines an opposing distance between the image bearer and the developer bearer, and includes a fitting portion and a groove. A fitted portion of the image bearer rotatably fits to the fitting portion. The groove extends from a ceiling portion to a bottom portion. A shaft portion of the developer bearer is slidingly movable in the groove. The groove is formed such that the shaft portion of the developer bearer contacts the bottom portion and is supported by the bottom portion. The ceiling portion of the groove is open upward so that the shaft portion of the developer bearer is insertable to and removable from the groove.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control circuit of an isolated power supply including a first transformer and a primary-side transistor connected to a primary winding of the first transformer. The control circuit includes a timing generator that generates a timing signal with reference to an edge of a switching signal generated on a secondary side of the isolated power supply, a sampling circuit that, in response to the timing signal, samples an electric signal to be monitored, the electric signal to be monitored being an electric signal on the secondary side of the isolated power supply, and a feedback controller that, based on an output of the sampling circuit, generates a primary-side pulse signal to be supplied to the primary-side transistor.

Abstract: A gate drive circuit for use in a switching circuit including a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor that are connected in series to each other, includes a switching terminal connected to a node that is connected to the high-side transistor and the low-side transistor, and also connected to an end of a boot-strap capacitor; a bootstrap terminal connected to another end of the bootstrap capacitor; a high-side driver having an output terminal connected to a gate of the high-side transistor, an upper power supply node connected to the bootstrap terminal, and a lower power supply node connected to the switching terminal; a low-side driver having an output terminal connected to a gate of the low-side transistor; a rectifying device for applying a constant voltage to the bootstrap terminal; and a dead time controller for controlling a length of a dead time during which the high-side transistor and the low-side transistor are simultaneously turned off, on the basis of a potential difference between the boo

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearer, an exposure device, a development unit, an adjuster, and a magnetic member. The exposure device forms a latent image on a surface of the image bearer. The developing unit renders the latent image visible with developer including toner and carrier. The adjuster contacts each of the image bearer and the exposure device to regulate a distance between the image bearer and the exposure device. The magnetic member is arranged side by side with the adjuster in a direction of rotation of the image bearer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearer, an exposure device, a development unit, an adjuster, and a magnetic member. The exposure device forms a latent image on a surface of the image bearer. The developing unit renders the latent image visible with developer including toner and carrier. The adjuster contacts each of the image bearer and the exposure device to regulate a distance between the image bearer and the exposure device. The magnetic member is arranged side by side with the adjuster in a direction of rotation of the image bearer.

Abstract: A power supply circuit is configured including a control circuit together with an output circuit including an external circuit component. A switching controller controls a switching transistor and a synchronous rectification transistor each configured as a switching element. A degradation detection circuit monitors a detection signal having a correlation with characteristic degradation of the circuit component, and detects the degree of characteristic degradation of the circuit component. The switching controller is capable of changing its operation according to the degree of characteristic degradation of the circuit component.

Abstract: A first detector compares an electric signal to be monitored with a first threshold. A second detector compares the electric signal with a second threshold. A first memory stores setting data of the first threshold. A second memory stores setting data of the second threshold. An interface circuit receives data from an external processor, and writes the data thus received to the first memory and the second memory. The protection circuit is configured such that data writing to the first memory is possible only when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improving the reliability of the control IC of DC/DC converters. The present invention provides a control IC 200 of a rectifier diode-type buck DC/DC converter 100. An N-channel DMOS switch transistor M1 is disposed between an input terminal VCC and a switch terminal LX. A first diode D11 and an N-channel DMOS low-side transistor M2 are connected in series with and disposed between the switch terminal LX and a ground terminal GND.

Abstract: A lubricant applicator includes a lubricant, a supply member contactable against the lubricant to supply the lubricant to a target, and a lubricant gauge to detect whether an amount of lubricant remaining is less than a threshold value. The lubricant gauge includes a rotary member rotatable about a shaft, a pressing member to press and rotate the rotary member as the lubricant is consumed, a contact part of the rotary member pressed by the pressing member, and a detection part of the rotary member opposite to the contact part across the shaft of the rotary member.

Abstract: A sealing member is attached to a second member attached to and detached from a first member having a first opening through which powder passes and having a second opening that communicates with the first opening when the second member is coupled to the first member, and prevents the powder from leaking from a coupling portion between the first opening and the second opening. The sealing member includes: a first elastic member with a first surface arranged on the second member; and a second elastic member arranged on at least a part of a periphery of the first elastic member and having hardness different from that of the first elastic member.

Abstract: A cleaning device comprises: a to-be-cleaned member; a cleaning member that cleans the surface of the to-be-cleaned member; a conveying member that conveys a substance removed from the surface of the to-be-cleaned member to outside of the device; a rotatable collecting member that conveys with its surface the substance toward the conveying member; and a partitioning member that guides the substance from the collecting member to the conveying member. The collecting member comprises a conveying portion that carries and conveys the substance; and a protrusion that protrudes toward an upstream side of the conveying portion in a rotating direction of the collecting member. One end of the partitioning member faces the rotating collecting member, and the other end faces the conveying member. The conveying portion and the protrusion are brought into contact with the partitioning member by the rotation of the collecting member.

Abstract: The waste toner container includes: a waste toner detection unit configured to detect a state in which a toner surface of waste toner at that position is displaced up to a ceiling portion or near the ceiling portion. The waste toner detection unit includes: a flexibility member installed so as to cover an opening portion formed in the ceiling portion or a side wall and is configured to be deformed by a direct or indirect push by the waste toner; and a movable member formed so as to contact the flexibility member from outside of the container and so as to be displaced by the direct or indirect push by the waste toner interposing the flexibility member such that displacement thereof is detected by a detection unit. The displacement of the movable member is limited by a regulating member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improving the reliability of the control IC of DC/DC converters. The present invention provides a control IC 200 of a rectifier diode-type buck DC/DC converter 100. An N-channel DMOS switch transistor M1 is disposed between an input terminal VCC and a switch terminal LX. A first diode D11 and an N-channel DMOS low-side transistor M11 are connected in series with and disposed between the switch terminal LX and a ground terminal GND.

Abstract: A first detector compares an electric signal to be monitored with a first threshold. A second detector compares the electric signal with a second threshold. A first memory stores setting data of the first threshold. A second memory stores setting data of the second threshold. An interface circuit receives data from an external processor, and writes the data thus received to the first memory and the second memory. The protection circuit is configured such that data writing to the first memory is possible only when a predetermined condition is satisfied.