Electrical Connection Patents (Class 399/90)
  • Patent number: 11599046
    Abstract: An image formation apparatus according to an embodiment may include: a fixation unit detachable from a main body of the image formation apparatus; a movable guide member holding a first connector and movably provided to the main body; a second connector provided to the fixation unit; and an engagement portion provided around the second connector. Upon mounting the detachable unit to the main body, the engagement portion contacts the movable guide member to move the movable guide member to position the first connector held by the movable guide member to a fittable range where the first and second connectors can be fitted to each other. Upon fitting the first and second connectors to each other, the first connector contacts the second connector to move the movable guide member holding the first connector to align the first connector to the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasunori Furusawa
  • Patent number: 11599056
    Abstract: A photoconductive drum for an electrophotographic image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a cylindrical drum member. A shaft defines a rotational axis of the photoconductive drum. An end cap is positioned at an axial end of the drum member. An electrical contact is positioned against an axially inboard side of the end cap. The electrical contact electrically connects the shaft to the drum member. The electrical contact includes a plurality of projections that contact an inner circumferential surface of the drum member. A plurality of grooves are formed in an outer circumferential surface of the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Louis Fahmy, Kyle Benjamin Freels, Jody Evan McCoy
  • Patent number: 11526124
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a tray unit to which a cartridge is detachably mounted, and that is configured to be capable of moving between an internal position situated within the apparatus main body and an external position situated outside, includes first and second side plates configured to support the cartridge, and they are each made of metal, and include a supporting portion and an outer side portion, the supporting portions includes positioning portions configured to come into contact with the cartridge to position the cartridge as to an image forming position. The apparatus main body includes first and second pressing members each capable of moving between pressing positions at which the cartridge is pressed, and separated positions separated from the cartridge. The first and second pressing members are disposed each intersecting with imaginary planes that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and intersect the positioning portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeo Kawanami, Kazuaki Nogami, Takehiro Hayashi, Kenji Watanabe, Shunsuke Hijikata
  • Patent number: 11513469
    Abstract: Power receiving unit and process cartridge are provided. The power receiving unit of a process cartridge is detachably mounted in an image formation apparatus configured with a power output unit that is swingable. An outer circumference of the power output unit contains a recessed portion, and the power receiving unit is engaged with the power output unit to receive a driving force. The power receiving unit includes a protrusion. The protrusion is disposed inside the power receiving unit. The protrusion is engaged with the recessed portion of the power output unit to receive the driving force. When the power receiving unit moves along an axial direction thereof and is in a contact engagement with the power output unit, the protrusion abuts against a front end of the power output unit to cause the power output unit to be tilted and swung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: NINESTAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Likun Zeng, Lai Luo, Qijie Liang
  • Patent number: 11513468
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a storage medium. A first contact portion is provided in a photoconductor unit and configured to be electrically connected to the storage medium. A second contact portion is provided in an apparatus body. The photoconductor unit is configured to, in a case of attaching the photoconductor unit to the apparatus body, move from a first position to a second position while being guided by a guide member and then move from the second position to a third position below the second position. At least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is capable of being displaced such that engagement between the first contact portion and the second contact portion is performed while the photoconductor unit moves by being guided by the guide member, and the engagement is maintained while the photoconductor unit moves from the second position to the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirotaka Ishii
  • Patent number: 11507014
    Abstract: A development device is attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body in an inserting/drawing direction. The development device includes a holder portion, a hook, a lever portion, and an elastic arm portion. The holder portion supports a board connectable to a controller of the apparatus main body. The hook is engageable with a recess of the apparatus main body. The lever portion is provided with the hook. At least one elastic arm portion connects the holder portion and the lever portion. In a middle of an attachment to the apparatus main body, the hook interferes with the apparatus main body to shift the lever portion in a direction crossing the inserting/drawing direction and to elastically deform the elastic arm portion. When the hook is engaged with the recess, the elastic deformation of the elastic arm portion is released and the board is connected to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Takai
  • Patent number: 11507015
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main frame; a developing cartridge including a casing, a storage medium having an electrical contact surface, and developing roller; a photosensitive drum contactable with the developing roller; an electrical connector contactable with the electrical contact surface; a separation mechanism; and a controller configured to communicate with the storage medium via the electrical connector. The separation mechanism is configured to move the casing relative to the main frame in a separating direction in which the developing roller separates from the photosensitive drum. The controller is configured to perform: moving, by controlling the separation mechanism, the casing relative to the main frame in the separating direction; determining, in response to performing the moving, whether communication with the storage medium is established; and outputting, when determining in the determining that the communication with the storage medium is not established, an error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tadao Kyotani, Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 11487230
    Abstract: Provided is an image heating apparatus comprising: a first rotating member; a second rotating member that forms a nip with the first rotating member so as to nip the recording material therebetween; a heater that heats the nip; a conductive sheet member that is disposed so as to overlap with a part of the heater; and a restricting member that restricts relative positions between the sheet member and the heater. The restricting member is configured so as to restrict a relative movement between the sheet member and the heater in a first direction, which is a direction where the sheet member overlaps with a part of the heater, and to allow the relative movement in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. A reinforcing land, that joins the heater and the sheet member, is disposed in a position that is electrically isolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Sekimizu, Koichi Yamada, Seiji Obata, Teruhiko Namiki
  • Patent number: 11480889
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a rotating member, and an electrode member. The casing may be configured to accommodate therein developer. The rotating member has a rotational shaft extending in an axial direction. The rotating member is configured to rotate about the rotational shaft and carries the developer thereon. The electrode member is configured to be electrically connected to the rotating member. The electrode member covers at least part of the rotational shaft from an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axial direction and is arranged to confront the casing in the axial direction. The electrode member is configured to move in the orthogonal direction in accordance with a movement in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasumasa Fujii, Tsutomu Suzuki, Hiroshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 11474451
    Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing for accommodating developer therein; a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one side of the casing in a second direction; a storage medium having an electric contact surface; and a holder movable relative to the casing in the second direction with the electric contact surface between a first position and a second position, the holder having an outer surface at which the electric contact surface is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 11474476
    Abstract: An assembly for an image forming device includes an access door movable between an open position permitting replacement of a replaceable unit and a closed position. An electrical connector in the image forming device is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position the electrical connector is disengaged from a corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical connector of the replaceable unit. The electrical connector is operatively connected to the access door such that movement of the access door from the closed to the open position moves the electrical connector from the extended to the retracted position and movement of the access door from the open to the closed position moves the electrical connector from the retracted to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Darren Adam Keese, James Richard Leemhuis
  • Patent number: 11474450
    Abstract: A developing cartridge may include: a casing for accommodating developer therein; a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one side of the casing in a second direction; a storage medium having an electric contact surface; and a holder movable relative to the casing in the second direction with the electric contact surface between a first position and a second position, the holder having an outer surface at which the electric contact surface is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 11462873
    Abstract: A contact-type power supply apparatus includes: a first cylindrical body; a second cylindrical body configured to surround the first cylindrical body, be disposed concentrically to the first cylindrical body, and be rotatable around a central axis of the first cylindrical body; an annular body configured to surround the first cylindrical body, be disposed concentrically to the first cylindrical body, be in non-contact with the second cylindrical body, and have an end surface being an inclined surface having a tapered shape; and a contact body configured to face the annular body in an axial direction of the first cylindrical body, be electrically connected to the second cylindrical body, rotate around the central axis around the first cylindrical body together with the second cylindrical body, have a contact surface that is in contactable with the inclined surface, and receive an electric potential of the annular body by sliding with the annular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Ulvac, Inc.
    Inventor: Shuuji Saitou
  • Patent number: 11454924
    Abstract: A developing unit, which is attachable to and detachable from a photosensitive member unit, includes: a developing roller; a housing in which a holding space that holds toner is formed; and a pressing receiving portion that receives pressing force from a pressing member. The housing includes a first bottom portion that projects toward an outer side of the holding space, and a second bottom portion that projects toward the outer side of the holding space, in a state in use. When viewed in a direction of a rotation axis of the developing roller, at least part of the pressing receiving portion is located in a space surrounded by the first bottom portion, the second bottom portion, and a tangent line tangent to both an outer wall of the first bottom portion and an outer wall of the second bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Noriyuki Komatsu, Tomonori Mori, Teruhiko Sasaki, Makoto Hayashida, Naoki Maeda, Satoru Harada
  • Patent number: 11442403
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing having an opening, a drum cartridge, and a development cartridge. The drum cartridge is movable in a first direction through the opening between a first position at which the drum cartridge is located inside the housing and a second position at which the drum cartridge is located outside the housing. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction and a first handle located at a downstream end of the drum cartridge in a movement direction in which the drum cartridge moves from the first position to the second position. The development cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the drum cartridge. The development cartridge includes a development roller and a second handle located upstream of the first handle in the movement direction in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Kazuna Taguchi
  • Patent number: 11415930
    Abstract: An assembly for an image forming device includes an electrical connector that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position an electrical contact of the electrical connector is disengaged from a corresponding electrical contact of a replaceable unit when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. In the extended position the electrical contact of the electrical connector is engaged with the corresponding electrical contact of the replaceable unit. A camming member is operative to move the electrical connector between the extended position and the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Darren Adam Keese, James Richard Leemhuis
  • Patent number: 11402765
    Abstract: A print material container comprising a body, a transfer mechanism, an inner connector, and an outer connecter. The transfer mechanism is to move print material in or out of the body. The inner connecter is on a connecting side of the body, and is to couple to a first location of an image forming apparatus to provide print material to the image forming apparatus. The outer connecter is on the connecting side of the body, and is to couple to a second location of the image forming apparatus to collect or receive unutilized print material transferred or received from the image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Justin Pettingill, Sean Daniel Fitzgerald, Gabriel S McDaniel, Jeffrey H Luke
  • Patent number: 11392078
    Abstract: A system for an image forming device includes a first replaceable unit including a first electrical connector and a second replaceable unit including a second electrical connector. An electrical connector in the image forming device is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the disengaged position the electrical connector in the image forming device is disengaged from the first electrical connector of the first replaceable unit and the second electrical connector of the second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device. In the engaged position the electrical connector in the image forming device is engaged with the first electrical connector of the first replaceable unit and the second electrical connector of the second replaceable unit when the first and second replaceable units are installed in the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil Johnson, Jr., Darren Adam Keese, James Richard Leemhuis
  • Patent number: 11385589
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a drum unit, and a developing unit. The developing unit includes a developing unit projection projecting out from opposite sides of the developing unit along an extension line of a rotation shaft of a developing roller. The apparatus main body includes a first developing projection guide portion configured to guide the developing unit projection from a first start position to a relay position in the apparatus main body, the relay position located closer to the photoconductor drum than the first start position. The drum unit includes a second developing projection guide portion configured to, succeeding from the first developing projection guide portion, guide the developing unit projection from the relay position to a first end position, the first end position located closer to the photoconductor drum than the relay position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki Uohashi, Rei Yamagishi, Hironori Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11378914
    Abstract: A process cartridge mountable in and dismountable from an image forming apparatus includes a frame, a storing portion provided on a mounting surface of the frame and configured to store information on the process cartridge, a projection projecting outwardly of the mounting surface in a direction normal to the mounting surface, and an electrical contact portion mounted on the projection and electrically connected to the storing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Tomonori Mori, Daisuke Abe, Noriyuki Komatsu, Hideshi Kawaguchi, Tadayuki Tsuda
  • Patent number: 11372352
    Abstract: A transfer device includes a transfer roller, a power source and a switch device. The transfer roller may transfer an image formed on an image carrier to a transfer medium in an imaging apparatus. The transfer roller includes a rotation shaft including a conductive material, and a ion conductive member disposed around the rotation shaft. The power source may generate a transfer voltage. The switch device may selectively connect, during rotation of the transfer roller, a power-feed path from the power source to the transfer roller, among a plurality of power-feed paths based on whether the image is being transferred or not being transferred, to thereby reverse the direction of an electric field applied by the transfer voltage to the ion conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventor: Satoru Hori
  • Patent number: 11366419
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a connection mechanism in electrical contact with a contact. The connection mechanism includes a terminal member, a power supplying member, an insulating member, and a holding member. The terminal member makes contact with the contact. The power supplying member feeds electric power to the contact via the terminal member and urges the terminal member toward the contact. The insulating member covers the terminal member. The holding member holds the terminal member covered with the insulating member. The terminal member, at a tip end portion of it that projects from the holding member, makes contact with the contact. The insulating member covers at least an entire region, except a contact portion with the contact, of the terminal member that projects from the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Ohashi
  • Patent number: 11353824
    Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device and a magnetic sensor electrically connected to the electrical contact. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves from a retracted position to an operative position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the magnetic sensor moves from a misaligned position to an aligned position with a point in a path of movement of a magnet for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Richard Leemhuis, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11347166
    Abstract: A belt unit includes: a drive roller; a drive shaft having an axis defining an axial direction and rotatable together with the drive roller about the axis; a bearing rotatably supporting one end portion of the drive shaft; a driven shaft; a driven roller rotatable together with the driven shaft; an endless belt looped over the drive roller and the driven roller under tension; a first frame; and a second frame spaced away from the first frame in the axial direction. The first frame includes: a facing section supporting one end portion of the driven shaft; and a bearing holder holding the bearing. The second frame rotatably supports another end portions of the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The bearing holder is positioned closer to the second frame than the facing section is to the second frame in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Wataru Yamaguchi, Kazuya Kamikawa, Yohei Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11327431
    Abstract: A toner cartridge includes a photoconductive drum and a boss that protrudes outward from a first longitudinal end of the toner cartridge at a rotational axis of the photoconductive drum. An outermost axial segment of the boss along the rotational axis includes a partial cylinder having a cross-sectional shape of a circular segment. An outer circumferential surface of the partial cylinder is convex to a bottom of the toner cartridge and forms a bottom contact surface of the boss that is unobstructed to contact and sit in a corresponding V-block in an image forming device when the toner cartridge is installed in the image forming device. The outermost axial segment of the boss includes clearance above a topmost portion of the partial cylinder and within the radius of the outer circumferential surface of the partial cylinder permitting the clearance to accommodate one or more features in the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Amann, Brian Lester Boettcher
  • Patent number: 11314198
    Abstract: A photosensitive member cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image, includes a frame; a photosensitive drum on which and which is provided in the frame; a transfer member for transferring an image formed on the drum onto the sheet; a mounting portion for detachably mounting a developing cartridge including a developer carrying member onto the drum and a memory for storing information; a first electrical contact provided on the frame and electrically connectable with a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly; and a second electrical contact provided on the frame for electrically connecting the memory and the first electrical contact portion with each other when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Miyamoto, Masao Uyama, Kenji Matsuda, Ken Kikuchi, Jun Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 11314192
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a power feeding portion and a powered portion that contacts the power feeding portion. At least one of the power feeding portion and the powered portion includes a surface layer, a primary coat layer, and an exposed portion. The surface layer is made of a first conductive metal and includes a contact portion where the power feeding portion contacts the powered portion. The primary coat layer mounts the surface layer and is made of a second conductive metal. The exposed portion is separated from the contact portion and exposed to an atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Inoue, Yuusuke Furuichi
  • Patent number: 11309775
    Abstract: A grounding brush assembly includes a plurality of conductive fibers extending from at least one support, a mounting plate having a first side and a second side and an opening configured to surround a rotatable motor shaft having an axis of rotation, and a plurality of tabs disposed in a circle around the periphery. Each of the tabs extends axially from the first side of the mounting plate and radially toward or away from the axis of rotation to define with an adjacent portion of the first side of the mounting plate a U-shaped bracket. The at least one support is secured against the first side of the mounting plate by the plurality of tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Mathieu Hubert, Igor Dorrestijn, Karl Preis
  • Patent number: 11287773
    Abstract: A grounding structure for an endless belt includes: an endless belt including a conductive layer, the endless belt being configured to move; a conductive conducting unit that is in contact with the conductive layer which is exposed at an end surface of the conducting unit in a direction intersecting a moving direction of the endless belt such that the conducting unit is electrically connected to the conductive layer; a pressure contacting unit that brings the conducting unit into pressure contact with the end surface of the conductive layer of the endless belt; and a grounding unit that grounds the conducting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.
    Inventors: Jouta Kobayashi, Tsuyoshi Sunohara, Kenji Kanai, Mizuki Sugino, Hiroyuki Hagiwara, Yasunori Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 11281156
    Abstract: A photosensitive member cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image, includes a frame; a photosensitive drum on which and which is provided in the frame; a transfer member for transferring an image formed on the drum onto the sheet; a mounting portion for detachably mounting a developing cartridge including a developer carrying member onto the drum and a memory for storing information; a first electrical contact provided on the frame and electrically connectable with a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly; and a second electrical contact provided on the frame for electrically connecting the memory and the first electrical contact portion with each other when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Miyamoto, Masao Uyama, Kenji Matsuda, Ken Kikuchi, Jun Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 11275327
    Abstract: A toner container includes a container body, an opening, a cover, a toner discharge port, a shutter, a cylindrical structure, protrusions, and an identifier. The shutter is attached to the cover and includes a main shutter covering the toner discharge port. The main shutter moves between a closed position to close the toner discharge port and an open position to open the toner discharge port. The protrusions are on both sides of the cover and protrude in a direction orthogonal to a toner container mounting direction. The identifier is on the cover to indicate a toner color. The cylindrical structure's leading end is downstream of leading ends of the protrusions in the mounting direction. The main shutter's leading end is downstream of the protrusions' leading ends in the mounting direction when the main shutter is in the closed position. The protrusions are downstream of the identifier in the mounting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Takahashi, Kunihiro Ohyama, Masayuki Yamane, Takeshi Uchitani, Tadashi Hayakawa, Takuji Takahashi, Shouji Okabe, Akira Shinshi, Yuichiro Ueda, Masaki Takahashi, Yuuki Satoh
  • Patent number: 11256200
    Abstract: A fixing device is configured to be detachably attached to an image forming device main body. The fixing device includes a fixing member, a heating source, a pressing member, a conveyance guide member, an exterior member, a relay substrate, and a substrate covering member. The fixing member is configured to heat a toner image so as to fix the toner image on a recording medium. The heating source is configured to heat the fixing member. The pressing member is configured to press against the fixing member to form a nip part. The conveyance guide member is configured to guide the recording medium to the nip part. The exterior member houses at least the fixing member and the pressing member. The substrate covering member covers the relay substrate. The substrate covering member extends from and is integrated with the conveyance guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Imada, Yoshio Hattori, Yoshikuni Sasaki, Hiromasa Takagi, Yasunori Ishigaya, Takumi Waida
  • Patent number: 11226580
    Abstract: A photosensitive drum rotates about a first axis extending in a first direction. A photosensitive drum is located at one end portion of a housing in a second direction. A cleaning roller cleans a surface of the photosensitive drum. The cleaning roller rotates about a second axis extending in the first direction. A cleaning electrode is electrically connected to the cleaning roller. The cleaning electrode is located at an outer surface of the housing in the first direction. The cleaning electrode is located at a tip end of the one end portion of the housing in the second direction. The cleaning electrode includes a contact surface and a guide surface. The contact surface contacts an electrical contact to which a voltage is supplied. The contact surface is perpendicular to the first direction. The guide surface guides the electrical contact to the contact surface when the drum cartridge is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukaya, Hiroki Mori, Nao Itabashi, Tsubasa Kiriyama
  • Patent number: 11188008
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a developing cartridge including a casing, a first electrical contact surface, and a holder movable relative to the casing; a drum cartridge including a drum frame, a second electrical contact surface, and a holder movable relative to the drum frame; and a main frame having an opening and including first and second guide frames facing in a facing direction, a first main electrical contact capable of being electrically connected to one of the first and second electrical contact surfaces, and a second main electrical contact positioned closer to the opening in an attachment direction and capable of being electrically connected to the remaining one of the first and second electrical contact surfaces. A distance in the facing direction between the first and second guide frames is reduced as the first and second guide frames extend toward the first main electrical contact in the attachment direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinya Kusuda, Yasuo Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 11156957
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a door; an electric power source substrate for supplying electric power to an object detachably mounted through the door and provided with an electrical contact; an electroconductive member having an apparatus contact connected with the electric power source substrate; an element movable between a contacting position for contacting the apparatus contact and the electrical contact portion with each other and a spacing position for spacing them; a link connecting the door and the element to move the element to the contacting position with door closing and moving the element to the spacing position with door opening; and an operating portion movable with the element moving to the contacting position to connect an electroconductive path between the apparatus contact of the electroconductive member and the electric power source substrate, the operating portion being movable with the element moving to the spacing position to disconnect the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichiro Okawa, Shunsuke Hijikata
  • Patent number: 11156953
    Abstract: A photosensitive member cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an image forming apparatus for forming an image, includes a frame; a photosensitive drum on which and which is provided in the frame; a transfer member for transferring an image formed on the drum onto the sheet; a mounting portion for detachably mounting a developing cartridge including a developer carrying member onto the drum and a memory for storing information; a first electrical contact provided on the frame and electrically connectable with a main assembly electrical contact provided in the main assembly when the cartridge is mounted to the main assembly; and a second electrical contact provided on the frame for electrically connecting the memory and the first electrical contact portion with each other when the developing cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Miyamoto, Masao Uyama, Kenji Matsuda, Ken Kikuchi, Jun Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 11150573
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a rotating member, and an electrode member. The casing may be configured to accommodate therein developer. The rotating member has a rotational shaft extending in an axial direction. The rotating member is configured to rotate about the rotational shaft and carries the developer thereon. The electrode member is configured to be electrically connected to the rotating member. The electrode member covers at least part of the rotational shaft from an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the axial direction and is arranged to confront the casing in the axial direction. The electrode member is configured to move in the orthogonal direction in accordance with a movement in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGOYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasumasa Fujii, Tsutomu Suzuki, Hiroshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 11150576
    Abstract: A developing cartridge including a casing, a developing roller, a developing roller gear, a gear cover, a first boss, and a pressure receiving surface. The developing roller is positioned closer to a first end portion of the casing than to a second end portion of the casing in a first direction. The first boss extends in a second direction and is movable together with the casing. The first boss is positioned away from the developing roller in the first direction by a first distance and also positioned away from the developing roller in a third direction. The pressure receiving surface is positioned further from the developing roller than the first boss is from the developing roller in the third direction. The pressure receiving surface is positioned away from the developing roller by the first distance or by a second distance shorter than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Yuwen Wang
  • Patent number: 11137711
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first circuit board provided with a first connector, a second circuit board provided with a second connector, and a plurality of electric wires one-end portions of which a first connector housing including a plurality of pins is connected to and other-end portions of which a second connector housing including a plurality of pins is connected to. An alignment direction of the plurality of pins of the first connector housing differs from an alignment direction of the plurality of pins of the second connector housing, and the plurality of electric wires have lengths different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hironobu Teramoto
  • Patent number: 11126139
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller; a shaft extending in a first direction; a first inclined surface; a second inclined surface; an elastic member; and a first protrusion. The shaft is movable in the first direction relative to the casing and the developing roller, and is movable in the second direction together with the same. The first inclined surface is positioned at one end portion of the shaft, while the second inclined surface is positioned at another end portion of the shaft. The first and second inclined surfaces are inclined relative to the first direction. The first protrusion is movable in the first direction together with the second inclined surface. The shaft is movable from a first position to a second position when the second inclined surface receives a pressing force directed in a direction from the another end portion to the one end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuwen Wang, Junichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11119441
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing; a drawer movable between an inner position accommodated within the housing and an outer position exposed to an outside of the housing; a drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a drum frame; a developing cartridge; and a pressing member for pressing the drum frame. The drum frame includes: first and second side frames supporting first and second end portions of the photosensitive drum, respectively; and an upper frame connecting upper end portions of the first and second side frames to each other. In a state where the drum cartridge to which the developing cartridge has been attached is attached to the drawer and the drawer is in the inner position, the developing cartridge is positioned between the photosensitive drum and the upper frame, and the pressing member is positioned above the upper frame to press the upper frame downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shougo Sato, Miho Ishida
  • Patent number: 11119443
    Abstract: A replaceable unit for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a housing having a reservoir for holding toner. An electrical connector is positioned on a first side of the housing. The electrical connector includes an electrical contact for contacting a corresponding electrical contact in the image forming device and a magnetic sensor electrically connected to the electrical contact. The electrical connector is movable between a first position and a second position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the electrical contact of the replaceable unit moves from a retracted position to an operative position. When the electrical connector moves from the first position to the second position, the magnetic sensor moves from a misaligned position to an aligned position with a point in a path of movement of a magnet for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: James Richard Leemhuis, Randal Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 11112755
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a first drum frame to which a developing cartridge is attachable; and a second drum frame having an outer surface; and a memory having an electrical contact surface. The first drum frame is at one end portion of the drum cartridge in a second direction and the second drum frame is at another end portion of the drum cartridge in the second direction. The electrical contact surface is positioned at the outer surface of the second drum frame and is movable in a predetermined direction relative to the second drum frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nao Itabashi
  • Patent number: 11112756
    Abstract: A drum cartridge includes: a drum frame to which a developing cartridge is attachable; a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a memory having an electrical contact surface; and a resilient member positioned between the electrical contact surface and the drum frame. The resilient member is configured to expand and compress in a second direction crossing the electrical contact surface between a first state and a second state, the resilient member having a shorter length in the second state than in the first state. A distance between the drum frame and the electrical contact surface in the second direction when the resilient member is in the second state is smaller than a distance between the drum frame and the electrical contact surface in the second direction when the resilient member is in the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Naoya Kamimura
  • Patent number: 11079701
    Abstract: A transfer unit includes a reading unit to read an image on a sheet conveyed along a conveyance path, a first signal transmission member having a flat shape and is connected to the reading unit, and a relay member connected to the first signal transmission member. The relay member relays a signal from the first signal transmission member, and a second signal transmission member having a round shape and is connected to the relay member. The second signal transmission member leads into an apparatus body from an inner portion of the transfer unit in an axial direction of a first rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Miho Kaiga, Yohei Suzuki, Junichi Ochi, Atsushi Kawarago, Toshifumi Kitamura, Kenichi Fujii
  • Patent number: 11073785
    Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing configured to accommodate therein toner; a developing roller; a supply roller configured to supply the toner to the developing roller; a layer thickness regulation blade in contact with a circumferential surface of the developing roller; a developing electrode electrically connected to the developing roller; and a supply electrode electrically connected to the supply roller and the layer thickness regulation blade. The supply electrode includes: an electrode member electrically connected to a rotation shaft of the supply roller and movable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft; and a connection member in contact with and electrically connecting the electrode member and the layer thickness regulation blade. The electrode member is movable relative to the connection member in the direction perpendicular to the rotation shaft in a state where the electrode member is in contact with the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukaya, Tomoya Ichikawa, Koji Abe, Naoya Kamimura
  • Patent number: 11061360
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body. A terminal holding member that holds a main body-side terminal is provided to be movable in a direction intersecting an attaching direction of the developing unit. The developing unit and the terminal holding member are provided with a protrusion and an opening which are fitted to each other in accordance with an attaching operation. If the protrusion and the opening are fitted, the terminal holding member is moved in a in a direction approaching the developing unit to bring the unit-side terminal and the main body-side terminal into contact with each other, so that the terminal holding member is positioned and fixed to the developing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 11036180
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body including a first guide portion and a second guide portion, a process cartridge including a photosensitive drum, a support frame configured to support the process cartridge and move between an inside position and an outside position. The support frame includes a first side frame. The first side frame includes a first guided portion to be guided by the first guide portion. The second side frame includes a second guided portion guided by the second guide portion A dimension of the first side frame is greater than or equal to a dimension of the first side frame. A dimension of the second side frame is greater than or equal to a dimension of the second side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shougo Sato
  • Patent number: 11022927
    Abstract: An image formation device includes: a first unit for image formation, attachably and detachably disposed in the image formation device, a power source unit configured to supply electric power to the first unit, a second unit for image formation, attachably and detachably, independently of the first unit, disposed in the image formation device, and disposed between the first unit and the power source unit and a power supply path provided in the second unit, and configured to be supplied with the electric power from the power source unit and supply the electric power to the first unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Akaike, Kazuaki Iikura
  • Patent number: 11022912
    Abstract: In a cartridge, a housing has a developer accommodating portion and includes a first side wall and a second side wall. A coupling member is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the first side wall. A detection body is disposed at a position opposite to the developer accommodating portion with respect to the second side wall. A first driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the coupling member with respect to the first side wall, and transmits driving force from the coupling member to a rotating member. A second driving force transmission member is positioned at the same side with the detection body with respect to the second side wall, and transmits driving force from the rotating member to the detection body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nao Itabashi, Naoya Kamimura