Spacing Or Pressure Patents (Class 347/149)
  • Patent number: 11475827
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a pixel array and a first driving circuit. The pixel array is disposed on a substrate and includes a plurality of sub-pixel rows. The first driving circuit is disposed on the substrate and located on one side of the pixel array. The first driving circuit includes a plurality of demultiplexer circuits and a plurality of switching circuits. The demultiplexer circuits include a first demultiplexer circuit. The switching circuits include a first switching circuit. The first switching circuit is coupled to the first demultiplexer circuit, and the first demultiplexer circuit is coupled to at least three of the plurality of sub-pixel rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Innolux Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Hao Tsai, Yi-Shiuan Cherng, Syuan-Ruei Siao, Chien-Feng Shih, Sheng-Feng Huang
  • Patent number: 10558139
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a photosensitive drum assembly, an exposure head, and a bearing, is provided. The photosensitive drum assembly includes a photosensitive drum and a flange disposed at an end of the photosensitive drum in an axial direction of an axis of the photosensitive drum. The flange contacts an inner surface of the photosensitive drum. The exposure head includes a plurality of light emitters aligned along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum, a lens array focusing light from the light emitters on the photosensitive drum, and a head frame to support the light emitters and the lens array. The bearing has a first contact face to contact the exposure head to define a distance between the lens array and the photosensitive drum along a direction of an optical axis of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamasa Tsukada, Junichi Yokoi
  • Patent number: 10281836
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum that rotates in a predetermined direction, an LED head that exposes the photosensitive drum, a drum contact surface that contacts against the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, and a head contact surface that contacts the LED head. Further, the image forming apparatus includes a spacer for regulating a distance between the photosensitive drum and the LED head, and a coil spring for pressing the LED head toward the spacer. The LED head has an engagement hole to engage the spacer. The spacer has a protrusion that engages with the engagement hole and regulates movement of the LED head in a predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Masamitsu Nagamine
  • Patent number: 9815299
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes frame, rotatable member, exposing and imaging assembly. The frame includes accommodation space, lower and upper surfaces on the accommodation space. The rotatable member includes pressed portion, pivoting portion and arm. The pivoting portion pivots to the frame. The scanning assembly assembled to the arm and has image capturing position and lifted position. The scanning assembly at the image capturing position is away from the upper surface. The scanning assembly at the lifted position is close to the upper surface. The imaging assembly includes toner cartridge and photosensitization unit. The toner cartridge has pressing surface facing the upper surface. The imaging assembly is rotatable relative to the frame to move the toner cartridge to be alternatively close to or away from the upper surface. When the toner cartridge is close to the upper surface, the pressing surface presses the pressed portion to lift the scanning assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventor: Jan-Hsing Kao
  • Patent number: 9122191
    Abstract: A photosensitive drum extends in an axial direction. An irradiating unit includes a first reacting portion and a second reacting portion spaced from each other in the axial direction. A moving member includes a first acting portion and a second acting portion spaced from each other in the axial direction. The first acting portion and the second acting portion of the moving member act on the first reacting portion and the second reacting portion respectively, in response to attachment of the developing unit to a main body, such that the irradiating unit moves from the retracted position to the proximate position with respect to the photosensitive drum, and cancel the actions on the first reacting portion and the second reacting portion respectively, in response to removal of the developing unit from the main body, such that the irradiating unit moves from the proximate position to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirotaka Mori, Makoto Souda, Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 9102138
    Abstract: Using an intermediate transfer body onto which a conductive recording liquid containing water that is ejected by heads is provided; and a potential applying unit which applies a potential which can electrolyze the water within the conductive recording liquid which is ejected from the heads and which temporarily bridges between the heads and the intermediate transfer body, the potential applying unit applies a potential between the intermediate transfer body and electrodes which are in contact with the recording liquid in supplying units which supply the recording liquid to the heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryota Suzuki, Takeo Tsukamoto, Hisayoshi Ohshima, Aino Hasegawa, Hideomi Sakuma, Manabu Seo, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Yuuma Usui, Takahiko Matsumoto, Takeshi Hihara
  • Patent number: 9007409
    Abstract: An optical writing head positioning mechanism includes spacers provided between a latent image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image and an optical writing head for exposing the latent image carrier. The spacers each include at least one carrier contact surface that contacts the latent image carrier and at least one head contact surface that contacts the optical writing head to determine an interval between the latent image carrier and the optical writing head. The latent image carrier is in contact with a cleaning member that cleans a cleaning area on a surface of the latent image carrier. In at least one of the spacers, the at least one carrier contact surface includes plural carrier contact surfaces not disposed on edges of the cleaning area, and one of the edges of the cleaning area is located between two adjacent ones of the plural carrier contact surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nakamura, Tamotsu Ikeda, Yasuhide Matsuno, Minoru Toyoda, Masanari Fujita, Takahiro Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 8208164
    Abstract: An image scanner might capture an image corresponding to scan region 263 which might be somewhat larger than original 262. Image processing circuitry might then enlarge an image corresponding to scan region 263 (arrow 279), converting it into enlarged image 271. Within enlarged image 271, the image of original 262 might have been enlarged so as to become image 273, which might be somewhat larger than printing paper 274. This enlarged original image 273 which would be present within enlarged image 271 might then be printed by a printer. Four-sided borderless copying is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Junya Yada, Takashi Kato
  • Patent number: 7804511
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image holder; an exposure member that has an exposure portion exposing the image holder; a first positioning unit that determines a distance in a first direction, which is a direction of an optical axis of the exposure member, between the exposure member and the image holder; and a second positioning unit that determines a position of the exposure member with respect to the image holder in a second direction being a direction of an axis line of the image holder, and a position of the exposure member with respect to the image holder in a third direction being perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, and that determines the distance between the exposure member and the image holder at a position substantially closer to the exposure member than the position of the first positioning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Honobe, Tomokazu Kurita, Shigeru Tanaka, Junichi Ozawa, Taro Mitsui, Yukihiro Ichiki, Toshiyuki Matsui
  • Patent number: 7777769
    Abstract: An image forming unit is provided in which, through making a distance limiting member to limit a distance between an exposing unit and an image carrying body be able to contact and separate with respect to the image carrying body by a contact/separation enabling section, it is eliminated that developer remaining on the surface of the image carrying body coagulates on the distance limiting member, so it is eliminated that the surface of the image carrying body is scraped by the developer, and that a bad print occurs. The image forming unit has an image carrying body exposed by an exposing unit, a distance limiting member to limit a distance between the exposing unit and the image carrying body. The distance limiting member is installed capable of contacting with and separating from the image carrying body by a contact/separation enabling section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Nozawa
  • Patent number: 6801232
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus for an optical head includes a cylindrical photoconductive drum, an optical head, and at least one spacer. The cylindrical photoconductive drum extends in a direction of a longitudinal axis thereof. The optical head extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. The spacer is disposed to abut the photoconductive drum, limiting a distance between the optical head and the photoconductive drum. The photoconductive drum has a photoconductor and the spacer is in contact with the photoconductor through sliding friction. The spacer has a first surface in contact with the photoconductor. The photoconductor has a second surface in contact with the first surface. The first surface has a first curvature and the second surface has a second curvature. When the first surface is pressed against the second surface, the spacer may deform resiliently so that the first curvature becomes substantially equal to the second curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventors: Masamitsu Nagamine, Norio Nakajima, Yu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20020044190
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can forms a high-quality image with high resolution while stabilizing potential and size of an electrostatic latent image and in which the wearing of electrodes and a latent image carrier can be reduced, thereby improving the durability thereof. The image forming apparatus comprises a latent image carrier 2 and a substrate 3a on which a plurality of writing electrodes 3b are formed along the axial direction of said latent image carrier. The latent image carrier 2 and the substrate 3a are arranged in elastic contact with each other so as to form an electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiro Koga, Shinichi Kamoshida, Kaneo Yoda, Nobumasa Abe, Yujiro Nomura
  • Patent number: 6160564
    Abstract: A color electrostatic recorder of a single path system includes electrostatic recording heads conveyed in sliding contact with a recording medium for forming electrostatic latent images, developers provided in pairs to the electrostatic recording heads for developing the electrostatic latent images, and adjustable sliding contact of the recording medium with the electrostatic recording heads. The electrostatic recording heads and developer are provided in series as required, the radii of surface curvature in the electrostatic recording heads are made larger on the downstream side in the moving direction of a recording medium than on the upstream side, and the pressure of electrostatic recording heads on the recording medium is adjustable according to the type of the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ohira, Toshitatsu Kawatsu, Kiyotsugu Takasawa, Fumito Komatsu
  • Patent number: 6091434
    Abstract: Optimization of distances between each of an array of imaging devices and the surface of an oppositely disposed rotating drum is accomplished without disturbing the mechanical mounting of the imaging devices. For each device, an optimal distance from the recording construction is established; at this optimal distance, corresponding to substantially proper focus, maximum energy density is delivered to a recording medium on the drum. Rather than alter the actual device-to-drum distance to conform to this optimum, the optical paths between the devices and the drum are changed by varying the spacing between the radiation source (e.g., the end of a fiber-optic cable) and the assembly. This alters the point of focus, and therefore has the same practical effect as moving the device itself. The invention also provides a technique for determining the optimal device-to-drum distance by means of a sequence of imaged regions applied at different device-to-drum distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Presstek, Inc.
    Inventor: John Gary Sousa
  • Patent number: 5787327
    Abstract: This invention relates to the charging member portion of an image forming apparatus. A plurality of charging members are disclosed that maintain a uniform spacing between a charge-receiving member and the discharging portion of the charging members' electrodes despite surface irregularities and surface waviness on the charge-receiving member. One charging member is in the form of a flexible sheet provided with ventilation holes in a non-contacting portion thereof, permitting the air produced by the rotation of the charge-receiving member to escape through the holes to suppress the lifting of the charging member. Pressure fins can be added to the charging member on the downstream of the ventilation holes for further suppressing any lifting. Another charging member includes a semiconductive member or a electret member on at least the surface of the charging member on the side opposite the charge-receiving member. This permits the charging member to be electrostatically attracted to the charge-receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Matsushita, Yasuhiro Nakagami
  • Patent number: 5666147
    Abstract: A method and device to enhance the printing quality of direct electrostatic printers which utilize an electrode array and electrical signals to generate an electrical field to cause toner particles to be deposited directly onto plain paper to form visible images. The invention relates to an improvement to dynamically position and maintain a desired distance between the electrode array and the surface of the charged particles on the particle carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Array Printers AB
    Inventor: Ove Larson
  • Patent number: 5552814
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by deposition of a toner, including a particle-flow modulating electrode member having apertures formed therethrough and control electrodes corresponding to the apertures, a toner supply device including a toner carrier disposed on one of opposite sides of the electrode member, for carrying a layer of the toner to the apertures, and a voltage applying device for applying a controlled voltage to each control electrode, to thereby modulate flows of the toner particles through the apertures toward the recording medium located on the other side of the electrode member. The apparatus includes a device by which corresponding portions of the toner carrier and the particle-flow modulating electrode member which are adjacent to the apertures are biased against each other for contact therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masataka Maeda, Tomoaki Hattori
  • Patent number: 5495273
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus having an aperture electrode and an electrically conductive opposing electrode. The aperture electrode selectively allows toners to pass. A sheet is backed by the opposing electrode, and the toner passing through the aperture electrode is attracted onto the sheet. A gap is provided between the aperture electrode and the opposing electrode by using a pair of spacers. The gap distance is greater than a minimum level to avoid puncture. The spacers are mounted on non aperture portions of the aperture electrode for supporting axially end portions of the opposing electrode or are mounted on the opposing electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Kitamura
  • Patent number: 5485190
    Abstract: A linear printhead writer assembly includes a linear source of radiation such as an LED printhead, and an elongated linear focusing device such as a linear lens array, and a support housing for supporting both the source of radiation and focusing device in a fixed relation with respect to each other and to an exposure locus. A positioning bar is supported by the support housing and engages a web image member to position the image member with respect to the exposure locus. The writer is preferably used with an image member having a radiation-sensitive layer on a side opposite the writer and is particularly adapted for exposing a charged image member already containing a toner image as part of a process to create a two-color image on the image member. The focusing device is held in the writer assembly by a coupling with a pair of end supports, each coupling allowing thermal expansion of the lens support and also isolating the lens support from vibration transmitted through the support housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Frank J. Koetter, W. Charles Kasiske