Abstract: A rotation transmission structure includes: a first member that is provided on a rotating body and includes a plural straight teeth extending in an axial direction of the rotating body and arranged in a circumferential direction; a second member that is provided on a moving body moving in the axial direction of the rotating body, includes a plural straight teeth extending in the axial direction of the rotating body and arranged in the circumferential direction, and is fitted to the first member to transmit rotation of the rotating body to the moving body in a case where the moving body approaches the rotating body; a biasing member that biases the first member toward the moving body; and a rotation mechanism that is provided between the first member and the rotating body and rotates the first member in a case where the first member is moved toward the rotating body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stacking unit, a pickup roller, a motor having a winding, a rotor, and a phase, an image forming unit, an operation unit, and a receiving unit. The motor drives the pickup roller to feed a recording medium stacked on the stacking unit. The image forming unit forms an image on the fed medium. A user operates the operation unit to set an image forming condition. When, in a state where the winding is not excited, the operation unit is operated before the receiving unit receives an instruction to start forming the image, an initial operation is executed in a rotor stop state that supplies current to the winding and determines the motor phase based on the current flowing through the winding. When the instruction is received after the initial operation, the winding receives current such that the rotor rotates based on the determined phase.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a support frame, a driving device including a first supporting portion configured to hold the drive source on a first surface and configured to rotatably support the drive gear on a second surface, and a second supporting portion configured to support the drive gear with the first supporting portion, a board holding member disposed in a manner overlapping the first supporting portion in a rotational axis direction of the drive gear, and a third supporting portion disposed between the first supporting portion and the board holding member in the rotational axis direction, and configured to support the board holding member, one end of the third supporting portion being fixed to a side of the first surface of the first supporting portion by a first fastening member, another end of the third supporting portion being fixed to the board holding member by a second fastening member.

Abstract: A planetary gear mechanism includes a sun gear attached to the motor rotation shaft to rotate about the central axis extending vertically, a fixed internal gear radially outside the sun gear, planetary gears radially outside the sun gear and radially inside the fixed internal gear to mesh with the sun gear and the fixed internal gear, a movable internal gear above the fixed internal gear and radially outside the planetary gears to mesh with the planetary gears and to rotate about the central axis, and a carrier that holds upper and lower surfaces of the planetary gears.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame, a photosensitive drum supported by the frame, and a developing roller supported by the frame. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being rotatable about an axis thereof, and with the coupling being positioned (i) at a first end of the photosensitive drum, (ii) coaxial with the photosensitive drum, and (iii) at a side of the process cartridge. A helical gear is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof, the helical gear having a plurality of teeth, with at least some of the teeth being exposed teeth that are uncovered by the frame and exposed to outside of the process cartridge. As measured in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, at least a part of the exposed teeth of the helical gear is positioned farther from the second end of the photosensitive drum than a tip of a projection of the coupling is positioned from the second end of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, the movable member movable relative to the photosensitive drum to control an inclination angle of a drive transmission member. The movable member is movable between a first position for reducing an inclination angle of the drive transmission member relative to the photosensitive drum and a second position retracted from the first position. By this, driving connection can be smoothly carried out.

Abstract: [TASK] An object of the present invention is to provide an image developing apparatus and a process cartridge with which an image quality can be improved while reducing a number of parts and reducing an amount of remaining developer. [SOLUTION] A process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming operators includes a developing chamber including a developing roller and a developer supplying roller; a developer accommodating container accommodating the developer provided below the developing chamber with respect to gravity direction, wherein the developer is fed into the developing chamber while being stirred by a feeding member. The developer supplying roller rotates such that a surface thereof moves in the same direction as a surface of the developing roller at a position where the developer supplying roller contacts the developing roller. A surface speed of the developer supplying roller is higher than a surface speed of the developing roller.

Abstract: In a cartridge structure employing an inclinable coupling member engaging with a rotational force transmitting portion of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member is unable to engage with the rotational force transmitting portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the mounting and dismounting direction and the developing/spacing direction relative to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of different from each other. Under the circumstances, a coupling lever contacting and retracting relative to the coupling member in interrelation with the mounting and dismounting operation of a developing cartridge B1, and a coupling spring for the coupling lever to apply an urging force to the coupling member are provided.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, a driving device, an external temperature detector, an internal temperature detector, a work amount detector, and control circuitry. When a temperature detected by the external temperature detector is lower than a temperature threshold, the circuitry shifts to a first restriction state based on a work amount and temporarily stops drive of the image forming device for a period every time the amount reaches a threshold. When the temperature is not lower than the temperature threshold, the circuitry shifts to a second restriction state based on an internal temperature. In the second state, in a case where the internal temperature is higher than a first threshold, the circuitry performs an intermittent operation of repeating a pause state and a printing state, until the internal temperature falls to be equal to or lower than a second threshold being lower than the first threshold.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a driving unit including a driving source, a drive gear, a first support member that holds the driving source and includes a first support portion that supports one end portion of a rotation shaft of the drive gear, and a second support member that includes a second support portion that supports another end portion of the rotating shaft. The first support member includes a fastening hole disposed in a projection plane obtained by projecting the second support portion in the rotation axis direction of the drive gear. The second support member is disposed upstream of the first support member in a fastening direction, and includes a mounting portion extending so as to be in contact with the first support portion in the projection plane, the mounting portion including an attachment hole, the attachment hole being disposed at a position overlapping the fastening hole.

Abstract: A development system for an image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum having a drive plate to receive a driving force to rotate the photosensitive drum. The drive plate is provided on an end of the photosensitive drum. The development system also includes a developing roller having a clutch mechanism to dampen a force generated when the clutch mechanism engages the drive plate of the photosensitive drum. The clutch mechanism is provided on an end of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: In a cartridge structure employing an inclinable coupling member engaging with a rotational force transmitting portion of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the coupling member is unable to engage with the rotational force transmitting portion of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when the mounting and dismounting direction and the developing/spacing direction relative to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of different from each other. Under the circumstances, a coupling lever contacting and retracting relative to the coupling member in interrelation with the mounting and dismounting operation of a developing cartridge B1, and a coupling spring for the coupling lever to apply an urging force to the coupling member are provided.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an image processing apparatus that is connected to a printing apparatus, sequentially receives a plurality of recording media on which printing was performed by the printing apparatus, and inspects a quality of images formed on the recording media, wherein the image processing apparatus receives a reference image, acquires a plurality of scanned images by sequentially scanning the recording media output from the printing apparatus and having the images to be inspected recorded thereon, receives phase information of an image bearing member of the printing apparatus, detects, for each of the scanned images, a defect on the scanned image by comparing a pixel value of the reference image and a pixel value of the scanned image, and determines whether a defect has reproducibility based on positions of defects on the recording media calculated from the phase information.

Abstract: An example image forming apparatus includes a frame, a first shaft supported by the frame, and a first coupler. The first coupler includes a body coupled to one end of the first shaft and a first protrusion protruding from the body in an axial direction of the first shaft, the first protrusion having a first surface and a second protrusion protruding from the first surface. The second protrusion is to lock with a groove to mount a cartridge on the frame, the first shaft is to provide a rotational force in a first rotational direction to rotate the second protrusion of the first coupler and to insert the second protrusion into the groove to lock with the cartridge, and the first surface of the first protrusion of the first coupler is to contact a second surface to transmit the rotational force to the second coupler in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame, a photosensitive drum supported by the frame, and a developing roller supported by the frame. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being rotatable about an axis thereof, and with the coupling being positioned (i) at a first end of the photosensitive drum, (ii) coaxial with the photosensitive drum, and (iii) at a side of the process cartridge. A helical gear is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof, the helical gear having a plurality of teeth, with at least some of the teeth being exposed teeth that are uncovered by the frame and exposed to outside of the process cartridge. As measured in an axial direction of the photosensitive drum, at least a part of the exposed teeth of the helical gear is positioned farther from the second end of the photosensitive drum than a tip of a projection of the coupling is positioned from the second end of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A mounting/demounting structure includes: a mountable/demountable object including a body, a first projection provided at a first end of the body in a movable manner, and a second projection provided at a second end of the body in a shiftable manner; and a receptacle including a housing configured to house the object when mounted while covering it in at least two directions, first and second stoppers provided in the housing and configured to stop the first and second projections, respectively by engagement, the object including an abutment portion provided on the body and configured to abut against a part of the housing to keep a posture reduced in terms of an engagement amount between the second projection and the second stopper when the first projection is disengaged from the first stopper and the object is stopped at a tilt in the housing during demounting of the object from the receptacle.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging receiver includes a carrier frame, a lens assembly, a first set of screws, and a light sensor assembly mounted on the carrier frame. The lens assembly includes a lens holder mounted on the carrier frame by a first set of elastic connectors attached to the carrier frame and the lens holder, and a lens installed on the lens holder. The light sensor assembly is configured to both rotate and linearly move with respect to the carrier frame, and includes a board mount and a sensor board installed on the board mount. The first set of screws are in contact with the lens holder, and are adjustable to change a distance and/or an orientation of the lens holder with respect to the carrier frame such that the lens may form an image on a predetermined area on the sensor board.

Abstract: A photosensitive member unit includes a photosensitive member, a charging roller, a charging roller bearing member, a gear, a separation member having an engagement portion, a guide portion, and a frame to support the photosensitive member. The guide portion guides the charging roller bearing member urged by a urging member to separate the charging roller from the photosensitive member in a state where the engagement portion and the gear are engaged with each other and guides the charging roller bearing member urged by the urging member so that the charging roller comes into contact with the photosensitive member in a state where the engagement portion and the gear are not engaged. A distance between the urged charging roller bearing member and the frame is less than a length in which the engagement portion and the gear are engaged in the state where the engagement portion and the gear are engaged.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a developing unit configured to develop a latent image formed on the image bearer with a toner to form a toner image, and a transfer member including a contact area that comes in contact with the image bearer. The toner image is primary transferred from the image bearer to the transfer member. A speed difference between the image bearer and the transfer member at the contact area is 0.1% or greater but 0.8% or less. The toner has an average circularity of 0.971 or greater but 0.986 or less and a shape factor SF-2 of 110 or greater but 119 or less. The speed difference is represented by the following formula: Speed difference [%]={(V1?V2)/V2}×100??[Speed difference] where V1 is a linear speed of the image bearer, and V2 is a linear speed of the transfer member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member; a charging member, an exposure member, a developing member, a transfer member, a moving member, a motor, a first drive transmitting portion, and a second drive transmitting portion. A rotation amount of the motor when the photosensitive member rotates from an exposure position to a transfer position during image formation is 2?n+? [rad] where n is a natural number, and ? is an increased rotation amount [rad] of the motor. The following relationship is satisfied: 0<?<??? where ? is an angle [rad] which is formed by a line connecting rotation centers of a first gear of the motor and a second gear of the first driving transmitting portion and a line connecting rotation centers of the first gear of the motor and a third gear of the second driving transmitting portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is capable of suppressing deterioration in accuracy of control for switching a motor from forward to reverse rotation in a configuration in which a coupling having play in a rotation direction is interposed in a drive train between the motor and a driven member. The image forming apparatus includes a motor that rotationally drives a photosensitive drum and a developing sleeve; a coupling interposed in a drive train between the motor and the developing sleeve and/or a drive train between the motor and the photosensitive drum and having play in a rotation direction; and a CPU that controls the motor. The CPU rotates the motor forward at a speed V1 at the time of image formation, stops the motor after the end of the image formation, rotates the motor forward at a speed V2 lower than the speed V1, and then reversely rotates the motor.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a frame, a first side member, and a first fixing member. The frame includes a first end in a first direction, a first positioning portion disposed on the first end, and a first rotation stopping portion disposed on the first end. The first side member is attached to the first end and includes a first to-be-positioned portion to be engaged with the first positioning portion and a first rotation to-be-stopped portion to be engaged with the first rotation stopping portion. The first fixing member is fastened to the first positioning portion or the first rotation stopping portion. At least either one of (i) the first to-be-positioned portion and the first positioning portion and (ii) the first rotation to-be-stopped portion and the first rotation stopping portion are adhesively bonded.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive drum, a motor, and a drum gear train configured to transmit a driving force from the motor to the photosensitive drum. The drum gear train includes a first gear, a second gear and a first clutch. The first gear is rotatable about a first axis upon receipt of the driving force. The second gear is rotatable about the first axis and configured to receive the driving force from the first gear and to transmit the driving force to the photosensitive drum. The first clutch is switchable between a first transmission state where the driving force is transmitted from the first gear to the second gear and a first transmission cutoff state where the transmission of the driving force from the first gear to the second gear is cut off.

Abstract: A universal coupler includes: a driving shaft, a coupler holder, driving coupler, a driving coupling pin, and an elastic member. The driving shaft has a driving shaft a first pin hole. The coupler holder includes a bore, a separation prevention member that partially blocks the bore, and a coupling groove formed in the bore. The driving coupler includes a spherical portion that is located in the bore and in contact with the separation prevention member, a shaft insertion portion formed through the spherical portion, and a second pin hole that penetrates the spherical portion. The driving coupling pin is insertable into the driving pin hole, and has an end insertable into the coupling groove. The elastic member applies elasticity to the coupler holder in a direction that urges the spherical portion of the driving coupler against the separation prevention member.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame having a slit and a recess formed therein at a side of the process cartridge. A photosensitive drum is supported by the frame, with the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive drum including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A developing roller is also supported by the frame, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being rotatable about an axis thereof. A helical gear is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, with the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof. The helical gear has a plurality of teeth, with at least some of the teeth being exposed teeth that are uncovered by the frame and exposed to outside of the process cartridge.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame having a slit and a recess formed therein at a side of the process cartridge. A photosensitive drum is supported by the frame, with the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive drum including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A developing roller is also supported by the frame, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being rotatable about an axis thereof. A helical gear is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, with the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof. The helical gear has a plurality of teeth, with at least some of the teeth being exposed teeth that are uncovered by the frame and exposed to outside of the process cartridge.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes: an excitation unit configured to excite a plurality of excitation phases of a motor; a measurement unit configured to measure a physical amount that changes according to an inductance of at least one of a plurality of coils that make up the plurality of excitation phases, when each of the plurality of excitation phases is excited; and a determination unit configured to determine a type of the motor based on measurement values of the physical amount measured by the measurement unit when each of the plurality of excitation phases is excited.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, a photo-interrupter, and a separation mechanism. The developing roller is movable between a contact position and a separated position. The photo-interrupter includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The separation mechanism includes a cam configured to move the developing roller between the contact position and the separated position. The cam includes a phase detection wall extending in a circumference direction. The phase detection wall has a first slit and a second slit. The first slit allows the light emitted from the light emitting element to pass therethrough when the developing roller is at the separated position. The second slit allows the light emitted from the light emitting element to pass therethrough when the developing roller is at the contact position. A size of the first slit in the circumferential direction is different from that of the second slit.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame having a slit and a recess formed therein at a side of the process cartridge. A photosensitive drum is supported by the frame, with the photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof, the photosensitive drum including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. A developing roller is also supported by the frame, the developing roller being rotatable about an axis thereof. A coupling is operatively connected to the photosensitive drum, with the coupling being rotatable about an axis thereof. A helical gear is positioned at the side of the process cartridge, with the helical gear being rotatable about an axis thereof. The helical gear has a plurality of teeth, with at least some of the teeth being exposed teeth that are uncovered by the frame and exposed to outside of the process cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a first developing roller, a second developing roller, a third developing roller, a fourth developing roller, a first photosensitive drum, a second photosensitive drum, a third photosensitive drum, a fourth photosensitive drum, a motor, a first output gear, a first gear train, and a second gear train, is provided. The first output gear is arranged coaxially with the motor and outputs a driving force from the motor. The first gear train includes a first intermediate gear meshing with the first output gear and transmits the driving force from the motor through the first output gear to the first, second, third, and fourth developing rollers. The second gear train includes a second intermediate gear meshing with the first output gear and transmits the driving force from the motor through the first output gear to the first, second, third, and fourth photosensitive drums.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a motor of which driving current value changes according to a load, an image forming unit, a measuring unit, and a setting unit. The measuring unit forms an image on a medium by using a rotation body rotated by a motor. The measuring unit measures the driving current value of the motor. When a rotation speed of the motor is set to a first speed, the setting unit continues to set the first speed if the driving current value measured by the measuring unit falls within a first range. The setting unit sets a second speed lower than the first speed as the rotation speed if the driving current value measured by the measuring unit falls within a second range higher than the first range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a motor which is provided in a housing of the image forming apparatus; a first gear which includes a rotation shaft axially supported by the housing; a first bearing and a second bearing which support the rotation shaft of the first gear and are arranged on one side and the other side of the first gear; a second gear which includes a rotation shaft and meshes with the first gear; a rotating member to which the second gear is attached and which is rotatable with respect to the housing so as to be positioned at a first position at which the first gear and the second gear mesh with each other and at a second position at which the second gear is separated from the first gear; a third bearing and a fourth bearing which support the rotation shaft of the second gear and are arranged on one side and the other side of the second gear; and a holding member which is provided in the housing integrally holds the first bearing and the second bearing, the holding member having a first gr

Abstract: An interface drive coupler for a replaceable unit of an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a first component and a second component coaxial with the first component along a rotational axis of the interface drive coupler. A force receiving portion is positioned on the first component and a force transmitting portion is positioned on the second component. One of the first component and the second component includes a male connector and the other of the first component and the second component includes a female connector that matably receives the male connector. Each of the male connector and the female connector includes a helical thread that extends circumferentially around the rotational axis of the interface drive coupler and that is angled in an operative rotational direction of the interface drive coupler in a direction from the force receiving portion toward the force transmitting portion.

Abstract: A process cartridge comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a photosensitive layer at a peripheral surface thereof, and process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The process cartridge also includes a coupling member capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the rotational force transmitting angular position.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, when a first sheet and a second sheet are subjected to printing and the second sheet is being conveyed at a particular timing after a sheet sensor detected passage of a trailing end of the first sheet, and when a sheet interval between the first sheet and the second sheet is equal to or greater than a particular threshold interval, a controller positions first and second developing rollers to first and second separated positions, respectively, after developing of images to be transferred onto the first sheet has been completed, positions the developing rollers to be used for printing on the second sheet to respective contact positions, and starts developing images to be transferred on the second sheet. The controller is further configured to perform a color printing using both the first and second developing rollers, and a monochromatic printing using only the second developing roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having first, second, third, and fourth photosensitive drums, first, second, third, and fourth developing rollers, a development-driving gear, a development motor, a first development gear train having a first gear, a second development-gear train having a second gear, a process-driving gear, a process motor, a first process-gear train having a third gear, and a second process gear-train having a fourth gear, is provided. The first development-gear train transmits a driving force from the development motor to the first and second developing rollers. The second development-gear train transmits the driving force from the development motor to the third and fourth developing rollers. The first process-gear train transmits a driving force from the process motor to the first and second photosensitive drums. The second process-gear train transmits the driving force from the process motor to the third and fourth photosensitive drums.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first gear train including a first clutch; a second gear train including a second clutch; a third gear train including a third clutch; a fourth gear train including a fourth clutch; a motor including an output shaft; an output gear rotatable with the output shaft; a fifth gear train connected to the first and second clutches; and a sixth gear train connected to the third and fourth clutches. The first clutch engages transmission of a driving force to a first developing unit, the second clutch engages transmission of a driving force to a second developing unit, the third clutch engages transmission of a driving force to a third developing unit, and the fourth clutch engages transmission of a driving force to a fourth developing unit. The fifth and sixth gear trains are connected to the output gear independently from each other.

Abstract: A toner cartridge is mountable on a developing device including a developing roller. The developing device develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a photo conductor. The toner cartridge includes a housing in which toner is stored, and an auger rotatable and configured to supply the toner in the housing to the developing device. In a case where the developing device is installed on an image forming apparatus in a state in which the toner cartridge is mounted on the developing device, rotation of the auger is started before formation of the electrostatic latent image corresponding to a sheet is started, based on a signal indicating that the image forming apparatus detects the sheet.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, having: a power source; a first coupling member configured to be rotated by a driving force transferred from the power source; and a cartridge including a second coupling member configured to rotate in a state of being adsorbed to the first coupling member, and a rotating member connected with the second coupling member, wherein the first coupling member has a first driving force transfer surface which is perpendicular to a rotation axis of the first coupling member, the second coupling member has a second driving force transfer surface which is perpendicular to a rotation axis of the second coupling member, and the driving force is transferred from the first coupling member to the second coupling member in a state where an adsorption force is generated mutually between the first driving force transfer surface and the second driving force transfer surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a coupling member having an axis about which the coupling member is rotatable. The coupling member includes a first end portion operatively connected to a developer roller and a developer supplying roller and a second end portion for receiving a rotational force. The coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis of the developer roller, a second position in which the axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis when the coupling member is in the first position, and a third position in which the axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis when the coupling member is in the first position in a direction opposite to the direction the coupling member is inclined when in the second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus cartridge includes a coupling member having an axis about which the coupling member is rotatable. The coupling member includes a first end portion operatively connected to a developer roller and a developer supplying roller and a second end portion for receiving a rotational force. The coupling member is movable between a first position in which the axis of the coupling member is substantially parallel to and offset from the axis of the developer roller, a second position in which the axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis when the coupling member is in the first position, and a third position in which the axis of the coupling member is inclined with respect to the position of the axis when the coupling member is in the first position in a direction opposite to the direction the coupling member is inclined when in the second position.

Abstract: An embossed component for positioning an article having a through hole includes a planar portion and an embossed portion projecting from a surface of the planar portion. The embossed portion is tapered toward a tip side and to be fitted into the through hole. The embossed portion includes a straight base end portion continuous with the planar portion and extending vertically with respect to the planar portion toward the tip side of the embossed portion, and an opening is at a tip of the embossed portion.

Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a developer roll and a toner adder roll. First and second drive gears are rotatably connected to and coaxial with the developer roll and toner adder roll, respectively. The toner cartridge includes a drive coupler exposed to receive rotational motion when the toner cartridge is installed in an image forming device. Gear teeth of the first drive gear are directly meshed with gear teeth of the drive coupler of the toner cartridge. The second drive gear is rotatably connected to the drive coupler through a pair of idler gears.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a drum cartridge and developing cartridge. The drum cartridge may include a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The developing cartridge may include a developing roller rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus may include a main casing including a slot extending in the axial direction. The image forming apparatus may include a first inner surface positioned inside of the slot, and a second inner surface positioned inside of the slot farther from the cover in the axial direction than the first inner surface from the cover in the axial direction. The first and second inner surfaces may be configured to press the developing roller toward the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first rod movable between a first advanced position separating a first developing roller from a first photosensitive drum and a first retracted position allowing the first developing roller to contact the first photosensitive drum; a second rod movable between a second advanced position separating a second developing roller from a second photosensitive drum and a second retracted position allowing the second developing roller to contact the second photosensitive drum; a first cam shifting between a first pushing state of placing the first rod in the first advanced position and a first push-released state of allowing the first rod to be in the first retracted position; and a second cam shifting between a second pushing state of placing the second rod in the second advanced position and a second push-released state of allowing the second rod to be in the second retracted position.

Abstract: In a fixing device, a first fixing member and a second fixing member in combination forms a nip, a first gear receives a driving force from a main gear provided in an image forming apparatus, a second gear rotates together with the first gear about a center of rotation of the first gear, a third gear provided in mesh with the second gear rotates together with the first fixing member. The first gear and the second gear are rotatably supported by a metal shaft. The first fixing member and the metal shaft are supported by a side frame. A sleeve is provided around the metal shaft. A material of the second gear and a material of the sleeve have melting points higher than a melting point of a material of the first gear, and the first gear is supported via the sleeve by the metal shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, and a tray movable from an inner portion of a main body to outside of the main body. A plurality of consumable cartridges are removably mountable on the tray. The tray includes a guide member, and during mounting of each of the plurality of consumable cartridges, the guide member moves each of the plurality of consumable cartridges in a direction perpendicular to a mounting direction of the consumable cartridges so that the consumable cartridges are mounted on the tray.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a developing roller; a coupling for rotating the developing roller; a shaft; and a clutch. The developing roller is rotatable about a first axis extending in an axial direction. The coupling is rotatable about a second axis extending in the axial direction. The shaft rotatably supports the coupling. The clutch is rotatable together with the coupling about the shaft in a case where the coupling rotates in a first rotational direction. In a case where the coupling rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, the clutch engages with a portion of the shaft and the clutch and the coupling do not rotate.

Abstract: A gear assembly for an imaging device includes a drive gear positioned to receive rotational force from the imaging device, and a driven gear positioned to mesh with and receive rotational force from the drive gear for rotating a photoconductive member. As the photoconductive member rotates, a rotational location on the drive gear that meshes with the driven gear when a latent image is formed on the photoconductive member is the same said rotational location on the drive gear that meshes with the driven gear when a toned image of the latent image is transferred from the photoconductive member to an image receiving medium.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material, the apparatus including: a first helical gear and a second helical gear that are engaged with each other; and a driving portion that applies a driving force to the first helical gear, wherein at least one of the first helical gear and the second helical gear is a helical gear in which torsional rigidity in a tooth width direction of one side end in a width direction of the gear is larger than torsional rigidity in a tooth width direction of the other side end, and wherein a twist direction of helical teeth and a rotational direction of the first helical gear due to the driving portion are set such that the other side end is engaged earlier than the one side end.