Abstract: A sealing assembly to contact a rotator includes a sealing member to slidably contact a surface of an end of the rotator in an axial direction of the rotator. The sealing member has an end in a circumferential direction thereof to contact the surface of the rotator with a first pressure. The end in the circumferential direction is fixed to a bearing surface formed on the opening on at least one of an upstream side and a downstream side in a rotation direction of the rotator. The sealing member has an intermediate portion between an upstream end and a downstream end in the circumferential direction to contact the surface of the rotator with a second pressure lower than the first pressure.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a nip formation pad disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of an endless belt and a pressing rotary body pressed against the nip formation pad via the endless belt to form a fixing nip between the endless belt and the pressing rotary body, through which a recording medium is conveyed. The pressing rotary body has a diameter increasing from a center to each lateral end in an axial direction thereof. The nip formation pad includes a projection disposed downstream from a rotation axis of the pressing rotary body in a recording medium conveyance direction. The projection projects toward the pressing rotary body in an amount increasing from each lateral end to a center in a longitudinal direction of the nip formation pad parallel to the axial direction of the pressing rotary body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a latent image bearing member, a charger, a latent image forming device, a developing device, and a transfer device is provided. The transfer device is adapted to transfer a toner image formed on the latent image bearing member onto an intermediate transfer member or a recording medium by action of a transfer elected field in a transfer position where the latent image bearing member faces the transfer device. When a non-charged portion of the latent image bearing member that has not been charged to a predetermined potential by the charger passes through the transfer position, a strength of the transfer electric field is lowered than that in transferring the toner image.

Abstract: A development device to develop a latent image using developer having a degree of agglomeration of 54% or greater includes a developer bearer to carry developer thereon, and a developer supply member to contact the developer bearer to supply developer to a surface of the developer bearer. The developer supply member is disposed to satisfy at least one of two conditions: a biting amount of the developer supply member relative to the developer bearer is 0.7 mm or greater; and a contact pressure of the developer supply member against the developer bearer is 30 N/m or greater.

Abstract: A torque and index detection apparatus includes a torque sensing section that senses torque exerted on a connecting shaft connecting a first and second shafts by a pair of magnetic sensing elements whose magnetic sensing directions are opposite, and a reference rotational position sensing section that senses a reference rotational position of the second shaft by the magnetic sensing elements. The reference rotational position sensing section includes a pair of magnets provided in the circumferential direction of the second shaft with like magnetic poles facing each other, a first magnetic part that is located between the magnets and the magnetic sensing elements, rotates integrally with the second shaft, and forms a magnetic path for magnetic flux of the magnets in the reference rotational position, and a second magnetic part that is provided between the magnetic sensing elements, and passes the magnetic flux from the first magnetic part uniformly to the magnetic sensing elements.

Abstract: A waterproof structure for an electronic unit includes a sub-case that defines an accommodating portion that accommodates a first terminal, and has a cable guiding hole that communicates with the accommodating portion. A potting resin filled in the accommodating portion is also filled in a space between a cable and the cable guiding hole. The cable includes a first sheath that covers a conductor and is made of a first resin material, and a second sheath that covers the first sheath. The second sheath and the potting resin are made of a second resin material that is different from the first resin material.

Abstract: Provided is a color image forming apparatus that includes: image carriers that form toner image of black and other colors; an intermediate transfer body that makes contact with the image carriers; and transfer units that transfer the toner images on the image carriers to the intermediate transfer body. A line velocity difference is set between the image carriers and the intermediate transfer body. An accelerated cohesion degree of toner is equal to or larger than 54%. A linear velocity difference X1 between the image carrier for black and the intermediate transfer body satisfies a relation of 0<X1?1.2 mm/sec. A linear velocity difference X2 between the image carriers for the colors and the intermediate transfer body satisfies a relation of 2.1?X2?4.0 mm/sec.

Abstract: An image developing device includes a developer supporting body; a first conveyance path in which a first conveyance member is arranged; a second conveyance path in which a second conveyance member is arranged; and a partition member that partitions the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path and that has a first communication port and a second communication port. The first communication path and the second communication path communicates with each other through the first communication port and the second communication port. The image developing device includes a developer amount detection unit that includes an optical detection unit arranged in the second conveyance path and that optically detects an amount of the developer in the image forming device. The developer is caused to accumulate in the vicinity of the developer amount detection unit.

Abstract: A waterproof structure of an electronic unit includes a case that defines a housing portion housing a first terminal, and a connector that includes an insulating body attached to the case. The connector includes a second terminal that is supported by the insulating body and connects a conductor end portion of a cable to the first terminal. The insulating body includes a wall portion that partitions a part of the housing portion by covering an open portion of the case. The insulating body includes a cable lead-in portion that defines a cable lead-in hole for leading the cable into the case and is joined to the wall portion. A potting resin is filled in a space between the inner periphery of the cable lead-in hole and the outer periphery of the cable and the housing portion and cured.

Abstract: A torque and index detection apparatus includes a torque sensing section that senses torque exerted on a connecting shaft connecting a first and second shafts by a pair of magnetic sensing elements whose magnetic sensing directions are opposite, and a reference rotational position sensing section that senses a reference rotational position of the second shaft by the magnetic sensing elements. The reference rotational position sensing section includes a pair of magnets provided in the circumferential direction of the second shaft with like magnetic poles facing each other, a first magnetic part that is located between the magnets and the magnetic sensing elements, rotates integrally with the second shaft, and forms a magnetic path for magnetic flux of the magnets in the reference rotational position, and a second magnetic part that is provided between the magnetic sensing elements, and passes the magnetic flux from the first magnetic part uniformly to the magnetic sensing elements.

Abstract: A torque-index sensor having index sensor and torque sensor closely arranged and integrated therein with lightened interference between them is provided. The invented torque-index sensor is comprised of torque sensor that includes first magnetic sensor arranged beside first annular-shaped magnet and index sensor that includes second magnet arranged beside annular-shaped encoder and second magnetic sensor that are arranged being in-line on common axis; and means for varying magnetic flux, which changes direction of magnetic flux that is generated from second magnet toward first magnetic sensor, positioned between first magnetic sensor in torque sensor and second magnet in index sensor.

Abstract: A torque-index sensor having index sensor and torque sensor closely arranged and integrated therein with lightened interference between them is provided. The invented torque-index sensor is comprised of torque sensor that includes first magnetic sensor arranged beside first annular-shaped magnet and index sensor that includes second magnet arranged beside annular-shaped encoder and second magnetic sensor that are arranged being in-line on common axis; and means for varying magnetic flux, which changes direction of magnetic flux that is generated from second magnet toward first magnetic sensor, positioned between first magnetic sensor in torque sensor and second magnet in index sensor.

Abstract: In a torque sensor having lead pins connected to a wire harness, the wire harness includes: a plurality of lead wires; a plurality of connection terminals each having a sleeve mounted around each of the lead pins and a connection portion extended from an outer periphery of the sleeve to be connected with one end of the lead wire; and an electrically insulating terminal holder for holding the plural connection terminals. The terminal holder includes: a sleeve holder portion for holding the sleeves in mutually spaced relation in order to prevent the sleeves from contacting each other; and a connection-portion holder portion for holding the connection portions in mutually spaced relation in order to prevent the connection portions from bending to contact each other.

Abstract: The torque detecting apparatus comprises an input shaft to which a torque is inputted, an output shaft for outputting the inputted torque, a connecting shaft for connecting the input shaft and the output shaft to transmit the torque, a coil for detecting a torque applied from the input shaft to the connecting shaft based on a torsional angle which arises at the connecting shaft, and a holding cylinder for holding the coil coaxially, wherein the holding cylinder has inside thereof a recess extending in the circumferential direction, and the coil is fitted in the recess. Projections for supporting the holding cylinder at a predetermined position are provided on the outer surface of an axial portion which does not have the recess. Accurate torque detection can be effected even when pressure applied to the projections provided at the holding cylinder constituting the torque detecting apparatus is changed.

Abstract: In a torque sensor, a first detection tube (13) made from magnetic material covers a cylindrical magnetic leak prevention member (12) that is made from nonmagnetic material and covers a first shaft (3) made from magnetic material. Magnetic resistance to magnetic flux, which passes through one end of the first detection tube (13) and one end of a second detection tube (14) that is made from magnetic material and rotates together with a second shaft (4), changes according to elastic relative rotation of the two shafts (3, 4) corresponding to transmitted torque, by providing a plurality of teeth (13a, 14a) along the circumferential direction at the one end of each detection tube (13, 14). The first shaft (3) and the first detection tube (13) are integrated with the magnetic leak prevention member (12) so that they can rotate together, by being inserted in a mold for forming the magnetic leak prevention member (12) before the synthetic resin material is poured into the mold.

Abstract: In a torque sensor, a first detection tube (13) made from magnetic material covers a cylindrical magnetic leak prevention member (12) that is made from nonmagnetic material and covers a first shaft (3) made from magnetic material. Magnetic resistance to magnetic flux, which passes through one end of the first detection tube (13) and one end of a second detection tube (14) that is made from magnetic material and rotates together with a second shaft (4), changes according to elastic relative rotation of the two shafts (3, 4) corresponding to transmitted torque, by providing a plurality of teeth (13a, 14a) along the circumferential direction at the one end of each detection tube (13, 14). The first shaft (3) and the first detection tube (13) are integrated with the magnetic leak prevention member (12) so that they can rotate together, by being inserted in a mold for forming the magnetic leak prevention member (12) before the synthetic resin material is poured into the mold.

Abstract: In a torque sensor having lead pins connected to a wire harness, the wire harness includes: a plurality of lead wires; a plurality of connection terminals each having a sleeve mounted around each of the lead pins and a connection portion extended from an outer periphery of the sleeve to be connected with one end of the lead wire; and an electrically insulating terminal holder for holding the plural connection terminals. The terminal holder includes: a sleeve holder portion for holding the sleeves in mutually spaced relation in order to prevent the sleeves from contacting each other; and a connection-portion holder portion for holding the connection portions in mutually spaced relation in order to prevent the connection portions from bending to contact each other.

Abstract: The torque detecting apparatus comprises: an input shaft to which a torque is inputted; an output shaft for outputting the inputted torque; a connecting shaft for connecting the input shaft and the output shaft to transmit the torque; a coil for detecting a torque applied from the input shaft to the connecting shaft based on a torsional angle which arises at the connecting shaft; and a holding cylinder for holding the coil coaxially, wherein the holding cylinder has inside thereof a recess extending in the circumferential direction, and the coil is fitted in the recess. Projections for supporting the holding cylinder at a predetermined position are provided on the outer surface of an axial portion which does not have the recess. Accurate torque detection can be effected even when pressure applied to the projections provided at the holding cylinder constituting the torque detecting apparatus is changed.

Abstract: A magnetic first detecting cylinder covers a magnetism leakage preventing member covering a first shaft. A second detecting cylinder is rotated along with a second shaft connected to the first shaft and one end thereof is opposed to one end of the first detecting cylinder with a clearance. A reluctance with respect to a passing magnetic flux in a first magnetic circuit constituted by generating the magnetic flux passing the first detecting cylinder and the second detecting cylinder by a first coil, is changed in accordance with an elastic relative rotational amount by a change in a transmitting torque of the two shafts. The magnetism leakage preventing member is molded from a synthetic resin material injected into a molding die. The first shaft and the first detecting cylinder are integrated to the magnetism leakage preventing member molded by being inserted into the molding die before injecting the synthetic resin material.

Abstract: A magnetic first detecting cylinder covers a magnetism leakage preventing member covering a first shaft. A second detecting cylinder is rotated along with a second shaft connected to the first shaft and one end thereof is opposed to one end of the first detecting cylinder with a clearance. A reluctance with respect to a passing magnetic flux in a first magnetic circuit constituted by generating the magnetic flux passing the first detecting cylinder and the second detecting cylinder by a first coil, is changed in accordance with an elastic relative rotational amount by a change in a transmitting torque of the two shafts. The magnetism leakage preventing member is molded from a synthetic resin material injected into a molding die. The first shaft and the first detecting cylinder are integrated to the magnetism leakage preventing member molded by being inserted into the molding die before injecting the synthetic resin material.