Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive member, a charger, a frame and a block member. The charger charges the photosensitive member and includes a charging wire and a grid electrode, which is provided between the charging wire and the photosensitive member, and which has an opening area in a surface opposing the photosensitive member. The frame supports the photosensitive member and the charger. The block member is provided between the charging wire and an end portion of the grid electrode in a longitudinal direction thereof and prevents a marginal area of the grid electrode from facing the charging wire in a direction with a minimum distance therebetween, the marginal area being defined between an end of the grid electrode and an end of the opening area.

Abstract: A charging device comprises first and second electrodes forming a charging zone. A plurality of nanostructures adhere to at least one of the first and second electrodes. A charging voltage supply couples to the electrodes to support the formation of gaseous ions in the charging zone. An aperture electrode or grid proximate to the first and second electrodes is coupled to a grid control voltage supply which grid control voltage supply, in turn, controls a flow of gaseous ions from the charging zone to thereby charge a proximately-located receptor. In one embodiment, the charging voltage supply is arranged to provide a pulsed-voltage waveform. In one variation of this embodiment, the pulsed-voltage waveform comprises a pulsed-DC waveform. In another embodiment, the charging voltage supply is arranged to provide an alternating-current waveform. In one embodiment, the charging device itself is comprised in an image forming device.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a photosensitive member and a charger for charging the photosensitive member. The photosensitive member has a photosensitive surface that moves in a moving direction and that is configured to form a latent electrostatic image thereon. The charger opposes the photosensitive surface and includes a wire electrode, a grid electrode and a shield electrode. The wire electrode is applied with a voltage for charging the photosensitive surface. The grid electrode is disposed between the wire electrode and the photosensitive surface.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to charging devices which produce a negative corona. The present embodiments pertain to the use of a positive charging device, such as a scorotron, after the erase lamp and before negative charging station in the xerographic cyclic to mitigate the undesirable changes in charge transport layer electrical properties that result from exposure to corona while negatively charging the photoreceptor during latent image formation.

Abstract: A scorotron charging device is disposed in an image forming apparatus and for charging a surface of a photoconductor, which is driven to rotate in a rotational direction. This device includes a discharging electrode and a grid electrode, which are aligned to a longitudinal direction of the photoconductor. The grid electrode is disposed between the discharging electrode and the photoconductor and determines the charging of the surface of the photoconductor. The grid electrode includes a first section, which has a plurality of first apertures and a first opening ratio, and a second section, which has a plurality of second apertures and a second opening ratio. The first opening ratio is greater than the second opening ratio. Aperture areas along any two parallel lines, drawn across the first section and the second section and being substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction, are in equal measure.

Abstract: A charging device includes: a to-be-charged member; a charging member that charges the to-be-charged member and is opposed to the to-be-charged member; a cover member that surrounds the charging member disposed inside of the cover member but has an opening at a site opposed to the to-be-charged member; a grid electrode that is disposed on the opening side of the cover member with respect to the charging member, the grid electrode being provided between the cover member and the to-be-charged member; and a protective member that is provided along a longitudinal direction of the grid electrode, the protective member protecting an end part of the grid electrode and having at least one opening that is provided between the to-be-charged member and an end part of the cover member on the to-be-charged member side.

Abstract: There is provided a charging apparatus having high durability, in which no rusts etc. are generated, and by which a potential of a photoreceptor drum being charged can be controlled stably within an appropriate range for a long period of time owing to hardly impaired controllability of the potential of the photoreceptor drum being charged even with a some amount of contaminants such as toner that may be deposited on, and which is inexpensive as well. A charging apparatus includes a needle electrode, a holding member, two cleaner members, a support member, a moving member, a shield case, and a platy grid. On the surface of the needle electrode is formed a nickel layer containing tungsten.

Abstract: Various embodiments and methods relating to a pixel are disclosed.

Abstract: A corona charger includes a case provided in the vicinity of a device to be charged. The case includes an opening facing the device, a discharge electrode, a first charging region, and a second charging region. The discharge electrode provided inside the case and supplied with a voltage so as to generate a corona discharge charges a surface of the device from the opening by supplying the corona discharge to the surface. The first charging region includes no grid electrode at a position upstream of the opening in a surface moving direction of the device. The second charging region includes a grid electrode to which a predetermined voltage is applied at a position downstream of the opening. The voltage applied to the discharge electrode is an alternating current (AC) voltage superimposed on a direct current (DC) voltage.

Abstract: A cartridge may include a frame; a photosensitive member that is rotatably supported about a rotation axis inside the frame; a discharge induction electrode that is supported inside the frame and detachably attachable to the frame from outside the frame in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photosensitive member; and a discharge electrode that is supported inside the frame opposite the discharge induction electrode and detachably attachable to the frame from outside the frame in the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the photosensitive member. The discharge electrode may be detachably attachable to the frame independent of the discharge induction electrode when the discharge induction electrode is supported inside the frame.

Abstract: There is provided a charging apparatus which has high durability and suffers from no rust etc. and of which controllability of charged potential of a photoreceptor is hardly impaired even with a some amount of contaminants such as a toner so that control of charged potential of a photoreceptor can be stably carried out to fall in an appropriate range over a long period of time, and moreover which is inexpensive. A charging apparatus includes a needle electrode, a holding member, two cleaner members, a support member, a moving member, a shield case, and a grid electrode. A length in minor axis of a secondary aggregate of polytetrafluoroethylene contained in a polytetrafluoroethylene-containing nickel layer formed on a surface of the needle electrode is twice or less than a layer thickness of the nickel layer.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) useful in printing for charging a photoconductor and for cleaning a scorotron grid is disclosed. The apparatus can include a scorotron frame (110) and a scorotron charge member (120) coupled to the scorotron frame, where the scorotron charge member can be configured to generate an electric field. The apparatus can include a scorotron charging grid (130) coupled to the scorotron frame, the scorotron charging grid having a length axis, a width axis, and a height axis, and the scorotron charging grid including a scorotron charging grid surface having a plurality of openings. The apparatus can include a scorotron charging grid cleaner (140) coupled to the scorotron charging grid, where the scorotron charging grid cleaner can be configured to travel along the scorotron charging grid length axis and clean the scorotron charging grid.

Abstract: A charging device is provided. The charging device includes a shield, a discharging part disposed inside the shield, a grid formed at an open end of the shield. The charging device further includes a power supply unit supplying charging power while maintaining the voltage difference between the discharging part and the grid at a predetermined level.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) useful in charging a photoconductor in printing is disclosed. The apparatus can include a scorotron insulator (200) having a longitudinal axis, where the scorotron insulator can have a first insulator end at one end of the longitudinal axis and a second insulator end at an opposite end of the longitudinal axis. The scorotron insulator can include at least one first spring integrated into the scorotron insulator at an insulator end and at least one second spring integrated into the scorotron insulator at an insulator end. The apparatus can include a scorotron charging grid (300) coupled to the at least one first spring at an insulator end of the scorotron insulator and coupled to another insulator end of the scorotron insulator, where the scorotron charging grid can include an electrical connector.

Abstract: A charging apparatus having a corona electrode is provided which exhibits high durability against ozone and moisture in the air, which can charge a surface of a photoreceptor drum stably throughout the life of an image forming apparatus, and which can be manufactured at a low cost. In a charging apparatus including corona electrode having a flat plate section and a pointed projection section, a support member, a shield case, and a grid electrode, a coating layer including a material different from the material of the corona electrode is formed at least on part of the surface of pointed projections constituting the pointed projection section.

Abstract: A scorotron corona charger including a grid electrode is provided. A layer including a zeolite, a resistance controlling agent, and a binder is formed on the grid electrode. The binder resin has a solubility parameter of 10.0 cal1/2cm?3/2 or less.

Abstract: A charging apparatus includes a corona charger which includes a discharging wire and a grid electrode that are configured to charge a member to be charged, a cleaning device configured to clean an inner surface of the grid electrode, and a discharging device configured to electrically discharge the grid electrode before the cleaning device cleans the grid electrode.

Abstract: An image forming method includes supplying a protective agent to an image carrier, and charging the image carrier by a plurality of charging units, wherein degrees of discharge deterioration of the surface of the image carrier in the plurality of charging units are different, and wherein, in the amounts of protective agent supplied to charging portions of the plurality of charging units, the amount of protective agent supplied to a charging portion, in which a degree of discharge deterioration of the surface of the image carrier is high, is large.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including: a rotatable image carrier; a protective agent supplying unit supplying a protective agent to the image carrier; a first charging unit charging the image carrier to the same polarity as a regular charging polarity of a toner; a second charging unit charging the protective agent supplied to the image carrier to the opposite polarity to the regular charging polarity of the toner; an exposure unit forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier; a development unit developing the electrostatic latent image of the image carrier; and a transfer unit transferring the image of the image carrier, wherein the second charging unit is disposed between the protective agent supplying unit and the development unit.

Abstract: The present invention is made to provide a pretransfer charging device, which allows (i) reduction of generation of discharge products such as ozone and nitroxide, (ii) excellent uniform charging, (iii) continuous stable charging for a long period of time, and (iv) restraint of distortion of a toner image. The pretransfer charging device includes (i) ion generation needles each provided face to face with an image carrier such as a photoconductor drum or an intermediating transfer belt, and (ii) a high-voltage power supply for applying a negative voltage to each of the ion generation needles. The voltage to be applied from the high-voltage power supply is not less than an ion production threshold voltage but is less than a corona discharge threshold voltage. With this, no corona discharge occurs but negative ions can be generated. This makes it possible to solve various problems caused due to the corona discharge.

Abstract: A charging device includes: a charged body; a charging member that extends parallel to the surface of the charged body, a charging voltage being applied between the charging member and the charged body; a cleaning member that is in contact with the charging member, and that moves in an extending direction of the charging member to remove matters adhering to the charging member; and an air introduction path that introduces airflow flowing in one orientation with respect to the extending direction of the charging member at a position along the charging member, the cleaning member being in contact with the charging member in a case where the cleaning member moves in the one orientation, and the cleaning member being separated from the charging member in a case where the cleaning member moves in an orientation opposite to the airflow in a state in which the airflow is generated.

Abstract: This is a titanium shield that fits into a discorotron and helps to eliminate destructive effluents. The shield conforms to the shape of the discorotron housing and has side portions that extend beyond the side portions of the discorotron housing. On this extended portion, a grid is attached over the open surface of the discorotron. The extended portions are called ears. These ears have notches to mate with apertures in the grid. The exposed ends of the ears are covered by a guard to prevent the ears from making contact with a photoreceptive surface. Below the ears are upstanding electrical contacts which when viewed from an end view form an H-like configuration with the ears.

Abstract: A corona charger includes a charging wire and a plate grid. The plate grid comprises a stainless steel base and a surface layer formed of tetrahedral amorphous carbon on the base.

Abstract: There is provided a charging device having high durability, of which controllability of charged potential of a photoreceptor is hardly impaired even with a some amount of contaminants such as a toner so that control of charged potential of a photoreceptor can be stably carried out to fall in an appropriate range over a long period of time, and moreover which is inexpensive. As a grid electrode, one prepared by forming a composite plated layer composed of three layers of an Sn plated layer, an Sn—Co plated layer and a Ni plated layer is used. More preferably, an upper layer is an Sn plated layer, an intermediate layer is an Sn—Co plated layer and a lower layer is a Ni plated layer.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials and devices for a corona charging. Specifically, carbon nanotube yarns can be used as corona wires (or coronode) in a corotron-type or scorotron-type charging device. The carbon nanotube yarns can provide small diameters, and desired electrical, mechanical and thermal properties. The carbon nanotube yarns can have a diameter of about 100 microns or less for a low operating voltage of the charging device.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus of the present invention, a scorotron charging device has a meshed grid electrode which is meshed more coarsely in a high-speed apparatus than a meshed grid electrode in a low-speed apparatus according to a circumferential velocity of a photoreceptor. With this arrangement, it is possible to charge the photoreceptor at a predetermined potential in the high-speed apparatus, without increase of the amount of ozone generation and upsizing of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to imaging members useful in electrostatography. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to an improved development systems for electrophotographic imaging and printing apparatuses and machines in which ghosting print defects are reduced, and more particularly, is directed to a method for reducing positive ghosting in such systems.

Abstract: A charging device is provided. A needle-like electrode for charging the surface of a photoreceptor drum is formed with a vibrating portion for vibrating the needle-like electrode by the vibration. The vibrating portion is a piezoelectric bimorph element in which two piezoelectric elements are bonded together and a base portion is formed therebetween. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric bimorph element, a free end thereof is curved to vibrate.

Abstract: In a plate-like grid electrode of a charging device that controls the charged potential of a surface of a photoreceptor drum, a vibrating portion that vibrates itself to make the plate-like grid electrode vibrate is formed. The vibrating portion is a piezoelectric bimorph element in which two piezoelectric elements are bonded to each other and a base portion is provided between the two piezoelectric elements. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric bimorph element, a free end is curved to vibrate the piezoelectric bimorph element.

Abstract: A charging apparatus is provided in which electrodes can be protected from corrosion induced by water content in the air, ozone, nitrogen oxide and the like and thereby lack of uniformity in charged potential on photoreceptor surface can be prevented, and in which a charged potential on photoreceptor surface can be kept in an adequate range for a longer period of time. As an electrode disposed in the charging apparatus for charging photoreceptor surface, an electrode formed with a protective layer made of nickel and phosphorus for surface protection is used. In the protective layer, phosphorus concentration and thickness proportion are each set to fall within a specified range.

Abstract: A grid electrode is attached to a case and a serrated electrode holder by engaging an opening of the grid electrode with a pair of engaging claws formed in the case and engaging another opening of the grid electrode with an engaging claw of the serrated electrode holder. Then, in the condition where the grid electrode has been attached to the case and serrated electrode holder, the grid electrode and the serrated electrode holder are fixed to the case by rotating them until engaging projections of the serrated electrode holder engage the engaging holes of the case.

Abstract: A charging system for uniformly charging an imaging surface moving in a predefined path including a dicorotron for charging the imaging surface; a discorotron, adjacent to and downstream from said dicortron, for charging the imaging surface; the discorotron including a coronode, a grid and a shield a first power supply for biasing the grid and the shield; a second power supply for energizing each of the coronode; means for determining a voltage level of the imaging surface and generating a feedback signal of the voltage level; and a controller, responsive to the feedback signal and in communication with the first power supply, for controlling the energiziation of the grid and the shield.

Abstract: A charging device (37) includes a discharge wire (85) to which a charging bias is applied, a box-like shield (84) surrounding the discharge wire (85) and having an opening (86) the body surface, a grid (87) mounted to the opening (86) and applied with a grid voltage, a moving base (94) movable along the discharge wire (85), a drive unit (95) for moving the moving base (94), and a cleaning member (96) mounted on the moving base (94) to clean a surface of the grid (87) facing the discharge wire (85) in accordance with movement of the moving base (94). The cleaning member (96) is provided with a plurality of bristles (K) each having an end that is so formed as to have a loop-like shape. The loop-like end comes in contact with the grid surface facing the discharge wire (85).

Abstract: A grid electrode disposed across from a charge wire includes a planar member and a plurality of linear pattern wires. The planar member includes a plurality of adjacent, aligned openings, each having a long side and a short side. The pattern wires extend in the long direction of the openings, and are evenly spaced in the short direction of the openings. A process cartridge detachable from an image forming apparatus includes an image carrier to bear a toner image and a scorotron charger for charging the image carrier. The scorotron charger includes a shield case, a charge wire tensioned in a long direction of the shield case, and the grid electrode. An image forming apparatus includes the grid electrode and the process cartridge.

Abstract: A grid electrode, which can be included in a scorotron charger for an image forming apparatus or a process cartridge, includes a thin plate member containing multiple apertures and linear patterns, and fitting members. The multiple apertures are disposed facing a charge wire, and the linear patterns are formed in the longitudinal direction of the grid electrode and disposed at equally-shaped intervals in a lateral direction thereof to cause the fitting member to apply tension in the longitudinal axis of the thin plate member at end portions in the lateral direction of the fitting member. The fitting members engage hooks mounted on the scorotron charger at both ends of the grid electrode in a longitudinal direction of the thin plate member containing the multiple apertures and linear patterns.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a primary transfer unit to transfer toner images of plural colors on image carriers onto an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transfer unit to transfer the toner images onto a transfer material; and a pre-secondary transfer discharge unit to discharge charges of the toner images, wherein the discharge unit includes a scorotron having a grid electrode and a discharging electrode; an opposing electrode opposed to the grid electrode through the intermediate transfer member; a first voltage unit to apply a reverse polarity voltage of the toner images to the discharging electrode; a second voltage applying unit to apply a same polarity voltage of the toner images to the grid electrode; a cleaning unit of the grid electrode; a current detecting unit; and a controller to control a timing to clean the grid electrode according to the detected current.

Abstract: Non-contact corona charging of a small radius moving surface to a desired surface voltage with a single corona charging system with a first corona generator applying a first charge through a screen grid having a first bias voltage to initially charge the surface to more than half of the desired voltage, and then a second corona generator applies the remainder of the desired surface charge through a separate screen grid having a second bias voltage. The two corona generators may be spaced pin arrays angled relative to one another and substantially perpendicular to their adjacent moving surface areas. The two screen grids may be electrically planar and angled relative to one another, substantially parallel to their adjacent moving surface areas.

Abstract: An improved coronode assembly includes pin guards that are positioned closely spaced from and extending above a coronode in order to provide protection for a user reaching past the coronode to remove a sheet jam, and prevent coronode damage when the coronode is handled during servicing by a field service technician. The closeness of the pin guards to the coronode also serves to produce a more uniform field.

Abstract: In a xerographic printing apparatus, a charge device is used to apply a charge to a photoreceptor. The shuttle includes a wiper that cleans a sidewall of the charge device. A tab is disposed adjacent the sidewall to retain toner or dirt accumulated by the scraper. The tab is electrically insulative, and effectively covers the accumulated toner or dirt, to lower the possibility of arcing within the charge device.

Abstract: System and methods may calibrate an AC rms voltage applied to a coronode of a charging device to achieve a predefined operating current at a target value of DC shield voltage. The target value of DC shield voltage may be set to be substantially below an over-voltage condition. System and methods may use a calibration routine that may determine a minimum AC voltage required to achieve the target value of DC shield voltage. Systems and methods may alternatively, or additionally, sense current and adjust the applied voltage to obtain a target current.

Abstract: A corona charger includes a case provided in the vicinity of a device to be charged. The case includes an opening facing the device, a discharge electrode, a first charging region, and a second charging region. The discharge electrode provided inside the case and supplied with a voltage so as to generate a corona discharge charges a surface of the device from the opening by supplying the corona discharge to the surface. The first charging region includes no grid electrode at a position upstream of the opening in a surface moving direction of the device. The second charging region includes a grid electrode to which a predetermined voltage is applied at a position downstream of the opening. The voltage applied to the discharge electrode is an alternating current (AC) voltage superimposed on a direct current (DC) voltage.

Abstract: A charger is opposed to a charging subject member and charges the charging subject member by generating corona discharge. The charger includes: a discharge electrode; and a pair of facing electrodes that are disposed to face with each other being the discharge electrode interposed therebetween and arranged to be distant from the discharge electrode, wherein the facing electrodes are arranged that an interval between the facing electrodes gradually decreases towards the charging subject member.

Abstract: A charging apparatus having a corona electrode is provided which exhibits high durability against ozone and moisture in the air, which can charge a surface of a photoreceptor drum stably throughout the life of an image forming apparatus, and which can be manufactured at a low cost. In a charging apparatus including corona electrode having a flat plate section and a pointed projection section, a support member, a shield case, and a grid electrode, a coating layer including a material different from the material of the corona electrode is formed at least on part of the surface of pointed projections constituting the pointed projection section.

Abstract: A charging apparatus having high durability, with no occurrence of rusts or the like, scarcely impaired for the controllability of the charged potential even when contaminants such as a toner are deposited more or less, capable of stably controlling the charged potential on the photoreceptor in an appropriate range for a long time and being inexpensive as well, is provided. A charging apparatus includes a needle electrode, a holding member, two cleaner members, a support member, a moving member, a shield case, and a grid electrode. In the charging apparatus, a nickel plating layer containing polytetrafluoroethylene particles is formed on the surface of the grid electrode.

Abstract: A charge generating device comprising a discharge electrode; and a conductive shield comprising a nonconductive substrate coated with one or more materials selected from the group including gold, platinum, lead, titanium and alloys thereof.

Abstract: A photoconductive drum unit includes a frame, a photoconductive drum, and a scorotron charging unit. The charging unit includes a pair of mounting members, a discharging electrode filament, a shield casing, a grid, and a connecting member. The mounting members are mounted and fixed at both end portions of the frame. The discharging electrode filament extends between the mounting members in a tensioned state. The shield casing is supported by being connected between the mounting members and covers the discharging electrode filament. The grid extends between the mounting members in a tensioned state and is arranged in an opening of the shield casing. The connecting member connects the mounting members and the shield casing in a state in which a slight displacement is permitted between the mounting members and the shield casing.

Abstract: There is provided a charging apparatus which has high durability and suffers from no rust etc. and of which controllability of charged potential of a photoreceptor is hardly impaired even with a some amount of contaminants such as a toner so that control of charged potential of a photoreceptor can be stably carried out to fall in an appropriate range over a long period of time, and moreover which is inexpensive. A charging apparatus includes a needle electrode, a holding member, two cleaner members, a support member, a moving member, a shield case, and a grid electrode. A length in minor axis of a secondary aggregate of polytetrafluoroethylene contained in a polytetrafluoroethylene-containing nickel layer formed on a surface of the needle electrode is twice or less than a layer thickness of the nickel layer.

Abstract: This is a device for cleaning a corona grid used in electrostatic printing or copying machines. This device has a cleaner pad that cleans the outer surface of the grid, that is the surface closest to the photoreceptor surface. This pad is located between the outer surface of the grid and the surface of the photoreceptor. It can be used together with a cleaner pad that cleans the inner surface of the grid.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with an image bearing member, a charging member with a discharge wire and a grid, and a first current supply controlling member, which controls a current supply to the discharge wire. Also provided are a second current supply controlling member, which controls a current supply to the grid, a potential setting member, which sets a potential value on the image bearing member to be charged by the charging member, and a first current supply condition selecting member, which selects a current control condition of the first current supply controlling member or the second current supply controlling member according to the set potential. In addition, a second current supply condition selecting member selects a current control condition for the other current supply controlling member based on the determined current control condition.

Abstract: A grid electrode, disposed along a corotron wire, includes a planar, plate-shaped member having plural openings in each of which a longitudinal direction and a short side direction are formed, the longitudinal directions of the respective openings being lined up to be in a same direction, and connecting portions connecting openings adjacent to each other in a opening longitudinal direction and connecting portions connecting openings adjacent to each other in a opening short side direction. At each opening, a shortest distance from a center point to an opening edge is less than 1.5 mm, a grid opening ratio is greater than or equal to 82%, and a length of the longitudinal direction is at least 1.3 times a length of the short side direction. The connecting portions connecting openings adjacent to each other in the opening longitudinal direction are not disposed on a same line which is orthogonal to the corotron wire.