Patent Grant
10838350
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that is capable of forming a multicolor image, an image forming cartridge supporter that is capable of being pulled out from the body of the image forming apparatus and supporting a plurality of image forming cartridges, and an image forming unit included in the image forming apparatus.
Image forming apparatuses are known that removably include an image forming unit which removably contains a plurality of image forming cartridges.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 4-337758 describes an image forming apparatus including a main cartridge and a plurality of sub cartridges. The main cartridge is removably attached to the body of the image forming apparatus. The main cartridge includes an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed. The sub cartridges are removably attached to the main cartridge. The sub cartridges are parts of a developing unit. Each sub cartridge includes a developer carrying member (a development roller).
In this image forming apparatus, each of the sub cartridges is electrically connected to the body of the image forming apparatus via the main cartridge. More specifically, one end of the developer carrying member is in contact with a contact member secured to a contact plate disposed on the main cartridge. Additionally, the contact plate is in contact with a contact provided to the body of the image forming apparatus. Thus, a high-voltage power supply unit provided to the body for applying a developing bias voltage is electrically connected to the developer carrying member so that the developing bias voltage is applied between the image carrier and the developer carrying member.
In the image forming apparatus having such a structure, in order to perform a reliable image forming operation, a reliable electrical connection is required between a power feeding portion (an electrical connection portion) and each of the image forming cartridges. That is, a reliable electrical connection is required between each of the image forming cartridges and the image forming cartridge supporter which is part of the frame of the image forming unit. In addition, a reliable electrical connection is required between the image forming cartridge supporter and the body of the image forming apparatus.
The amounts of consumption of the individual color developer materials are different in the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, every time the developer material of a specific color runs out, it is necessary to pull out the image forming unit from the body, take out the image forming cartridge with the developer material running out from the image forming unit, and do maintenance. To facilitate the maintenance of the image forming apparatus, the image forming cartridge and the image forming cartridge supporter need to be easily removed and mounted.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming cartridge supporter, and an image forming unit for, when the image forming unit including an image forming cartridge supporter with a plurality of image forming cartridges removably mounted thereon is removably mounted in a body of the image forming apparatus, providing reliable electrical connection in power supply feeding portions of the image forming cartridges and facilitating the maintenance thereof.
In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the plurality of image forming cartridges are removably mounted. The image forming apparatus may be configured to form a multicolor image.
The image forming cartridge supporter according to the present invention is configured so as to be capable of being pulled out from the body of the image forming apparatus. Additionally, the image forming cartridge supporter is configured to be capable of supporting the plurality of image forming cartridges.
The plurality of image forming cartridges is removably mounted in the image forming unit according to the present invention. Additionally, the image forming unit can be accommodated in the image forming apparatus capable of forming a multicolor image.
(1) According to the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a body frame, a slide frame, and a plurality of electrode members. In addition, the image forming cartridge supporter includes the slide frame and the plurality of electrode members. Furthermore, the image forming unit includes the slide frame and the plurality of electrode members.
The body frame is a member configured to comprise the body of the image forming apparatus. The slide frame is supported by the body frame so as to be capable of being pulled out from the body frame in a first direction. The image forming cartridges are aligned along the first direction and are mountable on and dismountable from the slide frame in a second direction that crosses the first direction.
The electrode members are mounted on the slide frame. The electrode members are aligned along the first direction so as to correspond to the image forming cartridges in a one-to-one fashion. Each of the electrode members includes a body-side contact portion and a cartridge-side contact portion.
The body-side contact portion is disposed so as to protrude towards the body frame. The body-side contact portion is in contact with a body frame contact provided on the body frame so as to be electrically connected to the body frame contact.
The cartridge-side contact portion is disposed so as to protrude towards the image forming cartridge. The cartridge-side contact portion is in contact with an image forming cartridge contact provided on the image forming cartridge so as to be electrically connected to the image forming cartridge contact.
In such a structure, when the slide frame is pulled out from the body frame in the first direction, the physical contact between the body-side contact portion on the slide frame and the body frame contact on the body frame is released. Thus, the electrical connection between the body-side contact portion and the body frame contact is released. In addition, when the image forming cartridge is pulled out from the slide frame in the dismounting direction, the physical contact between the cartridge-side contact portion on the slide frame and the image forming cartridge contact on the image forming cartridge is released. Thus, the electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact portion and the image forming cartridge contact is released.
In contrast, when the slide frame is inserted into the body frame along the first direction and is mounted on the body frame in a predetermined state, the body-side contact portion protruding towards the body frame is brought into contact with the body frame contact. Thus, the body-side contact portion is electrically connected to the body frame contact. Furthermore, the image forming cartridge is inserted into the slide frame in the mounting direction and is mounted on the slide frame, the cartridge-side contact portion is brought into contact with the image forming cartridge contact. Accordingly, the cartridge-side contact portion is electrically connected to the image forming cartridge contact. In this way, the body frame (the body frame contact) is electrically connected to the image forming cartridge (the image forming cartridge contact) via the electrode member including the body-side contact portion and the cartridge-side contact portion.
As noted above, in this structure, by simply mounting the slide frame on the body frame, electrical connection between the body and the image forming cartridge mounted on the slide frame is achieved. In addition, in this structure, by simply pulling out the slide frame from the body frame along the first direction, the electrical connection between the body and the image forming cartridge is released. Furthermore, in this structure, the first directions in which the slide frame is mounted on and dismounted from the body frame cross the second direction in which the image forming cartridge is mounted on and dismounted from the slide frame.
The advantages of this structure are as follows. According to this structure, the relative movement between the body of the image forming apparatus and the image forming cartridge supporter (the image forming unit) along the first direction is synchronized with the open and close of the electrical connection. Accordingly, the electrical connection between the body and the image forming cartridge is easily achieved by means of a simple structure. Thus, according to this structure, the maintenance of the image forming apparatus is facilitated.
Furthermore, according to this structure, as noted above, since the first direction crosses the second direction, changes in a mounting state of the image forming cartridge with respect to the slide frame can be inhibited when the slide frame slides in the first direction. Accordingly, when the slide frame is inserted into the body frame in the first direction, a loose electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact portion of the electrode member and the image forming cartridge contact caused by a positional shift of the slide frame from the image forming cartridge can be inhibited. Consequently, a reliable electrical connection between the body of the image forming apparatus and the image forming cartridge can be achieved. (1′) Here, for example, it is desirable that the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction (at an angle of about 50° to about 130°).
Also, it is desirable that the cartridge-side contact portion is disposed inside the slide frame.
In such a structure, the cartridge-side contact portion is disposed so as to protrude from inside the slide frame towards the image forming cartridge. That is, the cartridge-side contact portion of the electrode member for electrical connection with the image forming cartridge that is disposed inside the slide frame is accommodated in a space inside the slide frame. Additionally, the protrusion of the electrode member that protrudes outwardly from the slide frame can be limited to the body-side contact portion for electrical connection with the body that is outside of the slide frame.
In such a structure, mechanical interference between the body frame contact provided on the body frame and the cartridge-side contact portion is inhibited. Thus, in this structure, reliable electrical connection between the body and the slide frame and reliable electrical connection between the slide frame and the image forming cartridge can be achieved. (1″) The slide frame may be configured so as to be removable from the body frame. That is, the image forming cartridge supporter (the image forming cartridge unit) may be completely detached from the body. In other words, the image forming cartridge supporter (the image forming cartridge unit) may be configured so as to be interchangeable.
According to this structure, the maintenance of the image forming apparatus can be facilitated. (2) The slide frame may include a guiding portion formed thereon guiding the image forming cartridge in the second direction, and the cartridge-side contact portion may be disposed so as to face the guiding portion.
In such a structure, when the image forming cartridge is mounted on the slide frame, the image forming cartridge is guided by the guiding portion in the second direction. After the image forming cartridge is mounted on the slide frame, the image forming cartridge contact provided on the image forming cartridge is in contact with the cartridge-side contact portion that is disposed so as to face the guiding portion. Accordingly, electrical connection between the image forming cartridge contact and the cartridge-side contact portion is achieved.
According to this structure, the advantages are as follows. In this structure, the image forming cartridge is guided by the guiding portion, and therefore, electrical connection between the image forming cartridge contact and the cartridge-side contact portion that is disposed so as to face the guiding portion is achieved. Accordingly, the reliability of the electrical connection can be improved.
(3) The slide frame may include a pair of side panels disposed parallel to both the first direction and the second direction, and the guiding portion may include a guide groove formed on the side panel.
In such a structure, when the image forming cartridge is mounted on the slide frame, the image forming cartridge is inserted into a space surrounded by the pair of side panels. At that time, the image forming cartridge is guided by the guide groove along the second direction.
According to this structure, the advantages are as follows. In this structure, the image forming cartridge is guided by the guiding groove, and therefore, electrical connection between the image forming cartridge contact and the cartridge-side contact portion that is disposed so as to face the guiding groove is achieved. Accordingly, the reliability of the electrical connection can be improved by means of a simple structure.
(4) The electrode member may include a wire-shaped connecting portion that connects the body-side contact portion to the cartridge-side contact portion and may be disposed in the vicinity of the guide groove on the side panel.
According to this structure, the advantages are as follows. In this structure, the electrode member that electrically connects the body of the image forming apparatus to the image forming cartridge can be formed as a significantly simple structure. Additionally, since the electrode member is disposed in the vicinity of the guide groove, electrical connection between the image forming cartridge contact and the cartridge-side contact portion that is disposed so as to face the guiding groove is reliably achieved.
(5) The connecting portion and the cartridge-side contact portion may be integrated into a wire-like member having a shape of a torsion coil spring, and the cartridge-side contact portion may be formed from an arm portion extending outwardly from a coil portion in the shape of the torsion coil spring.
In such a structure, since the image forming cartridge contact presses the arm portion against the elastic force of the torsion coil spring, physical contact and electrical connection between the arm portion (the cartridge-side contact portion) and the image forming cartridge contact are achieved.
According to this structure, the advantages are as follows. In this structure, the electrode member that electrically connects the body of the image forming apparatus to the image forming cartridge can be formed as a significantly simple structure. Additionally, due to the elastic force of the torsion coil spring, physical contact and establishment of electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact portion and the image forming cartridge contact can be reliably achieved.
(6) The image forming cartridge contact may include a conductive protrusion that is formed so as to be accommodated in the guide groove, and the cartridge-side contact portion may be in contact with the protrusion so as to be electrically connected to the protrusion.
In such a structure, when the image forming cartridge is mounted on the slide frame, the protrusion is accommodated in the guide groove. Accordingly, the image forming cartridge is guided by the guide groove, and the protrusion is brought into contact with the cartridge-side contact portion. Thus, electrical connection between the protrusion and the cartridge-side contact portion is achieved.
According to this structure, the advantages are as follows. In this structure, the image forming cartridge can be smoothly mounted on the slide frame by means of a significantly simple structure. Additionally, reliable electrical connection between the image forming cartridge and the cartridge-side contact portion can be achieved by means of a significantly simple structure.
(7) The image forming cartridge may include a development roller disposed so as to face an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and the protrusion may be formed from a conductive synthetic resin collar member that covers the metallic center shaft protruding from an end of the development roller in the length direction of the development roller.
In such a structure, when the image forming cartridge is mounted on the slide frame, the collar member is accommodated in the guide groove. Accordingly, the image forming cartridge is guided by the guide groove, and the collar member is brought into contact with the cartridge-side contact portion. Thus, electrical connections between the cartridge-side contact portion and the collar member and between the cartridge-side contact portion and the development roller are achieved.
According to this structure, reliable electrical connection between the development roller and the cartridge-side contact portion can be achieved by means of a significantly simple structure.
(8) The side panel may be separated into a plurality of sections, which correspond to the image forming cartridges and are aligned along the first direction, and a supporting plate is disposed outside the plurality of sections so as to support the plurality of sections. Also, the body-side contact portion may be disposed so as to pass through the supporting plate and so as to be exposed to outside the supporting plate.
According to this structure, the side plate and the guide groove can be produced by means of a significantly simple manufacturing process at low cost.
(9) A driving force may be transferred from the body frame to one end of the image forming cartridge in a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and the electrode member may be disposed so as to face the other end of the image forming cartridge.
In such a structure, the driving force is transferred from the body frame to one end of the image forming cartridge in the third direction. In contrast, electrical connection between the image forming cartridge and the body is achieved at the other end of the image forming cartridge in the third direction via the electrode member.
According to this structure, the advantages are as follows. In this structure, even when foreign materials, such as dust and grease, are generated on a portion to which the driving force is transferred, deposition of the foreign materials to electrical contacts between the electrode member and the image forming cartridge contact and between the electrode member and the body frame contact can be reliably inhibited. Accordingly, reliable electrical connection at the electrical contacts can be achieved.
(10) The electrode member may be configured as follows: the cartridge-side contact portion is pressed in a third direction crossing the second direction so as to be in contact with the image forming cartridge contact. Additionally, the body-side contact portion is pressed in a fourth direction crossing the first direction so as to be in contact with the body frame contact.
In such a structure, the cartridge-side contact portion is pressed in the third direction crossing the first direction. Accordingly, the body-side contact portion is brought into contact with the body frame contact. Additionally, the cartridge-side contact portion is pressed in the fourth direction crossing the second direction. Accordingly, the cartridge-side contact portion is brought into contact with the image forming cartridge contact.
According to this structure, the advantages are as follows. In this structure, the first direction in which the slide frame is inserted into the body frame crosses the fourth direction in which the body frame contact is pressed by the body-side contact portion. Accordingly, reliable electrical connection between the body frame contact and the body-side contact portion can be achieved by means of a simple structure.
Furthermore, according to this structure, the second direction along which the image forming cartridge moves relative to the slide frame when the image forming cartridge is mounted and dismounted crosses the third direction in which the cartridge-side contact portion is pressed by the image forming cartridge contact. Accordingly, the mount and dismount operation of the image forming cartridge is not affected by the pressure between the cartridge-side contact portion and the image forming cartridge contact. Accordingly, the mount and dismount operation of the image forming cartridge can be smoothly carried out. In addition, reliable electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact portion and the image forming cartridge contact can be achieved by means of a simple structure.
(11) The electrode member may be configured so that the third direction crosses the fourth direction.
According to this structure, when the image forming cartridge is mounted on the slide frame along the second direction, the cartridge-side contact portion and the image forming cartridge contact press each other. Thus, electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact portion and the image forming cartridge contact is achieved. Thereafter, the slide frame is inserted into the body frame along the first direction and is mounted on the body frame. At that time, the body-side contact portion and the body frame contact press each other in the fourth direction crossing the third direction in which the cartridge-side contact portion and the image forming cartridge contact press each other. Thus, electrical connection between the body-side contact portion and the body frame contact is achieved. In this way, electrical connection between the body frame (the body frame contact) and the image forming cartridge (the image forming cartridge contact) can be achieved via the electrode member including the body-side contact portion and the cartridge-side contact portion.
According to this structure, the advantages are as follows. In this structure, the size of the apparatus can be reduced, compared with the case where the third direction in which the cartridge-side contact portion and the image forming cartridge contact press each other is parallel to the fourth direction in which the body-side contact portion and the body frame contact press each other.
Additionally, when the body-side contact portion and the cartridge-side contact portion for one image forming cartridge are integrated into one component, the direction of a pressing force exerted on the body-side contact portion crosses the direction of a pressing force exerted on the cartridge-side contact portion. Accordingly, interference between the pressing force exerted on the body-side contact portion and the pressing force exerted on the cartridge-side contact portion can be inhibited. Consequently, unreliable electrical connections at the body-side contact portion and the cartridge-side contact portion can be inhibited. As a result, reliable electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact portion and the image forming cartridge contact can be achieved by means of a simple structure.
(12) The image forming cartridge and the slide frame may have structures in which the image forming cartridge is pressed in a sixth direction along the third direction which the cartridge-side contact portion and the image forming cartridge contact press each other (hereinafter also referred to as a “pressing direction”) so that the position of the image forming cartridge relative to the slide frame is determined.
According to this structure, when the image forming cartridge is pressed in the sixth direction, the position of the image forming cartridge relative to the slide frame is determined. At that time, the image forming cartridge contact provided on the image forming cartridge and the cartridge-side contact portion provided on the slide frame press each other along the sixth direction.
There are following two cases: the sixth direction is equal to the pressing direction; and the sixth direction is equal to the direction opposite the pressing direction.
According to this structure, the advantages are as follows. In the case where the sixth direction is equal to the pressing direction, since the sixth direction is equal to the pressing direction, the reliable positioning can be achieved. In the case where the sixth direction is equal to the direction opposite the pressing direction, when the position of the image forming cartridge relative to the slide frame is determined, the image forming cartridge contact and the cartridge-side contact portion press each other so that electrical connection between the image forming cartridge contact and the cartridge-side contact portion is achieved. Consequently, reliable electrical connection caused by the contact between the image forming cartridge contact and the cartridge-side contact portion can be achieved by means of a simple structure.
(13) The sixth direction may be along a seventh direction in which the image forming cartridge receives a force from the body frame when the image forming cartridge carries out an image forming operation.
In such a structure, when the image forming cartridge carries out an image forming operation, the image forming cartridge is pressed in the seventh direction which is along the sixth direction. Thus, the position of the image forming cartridge relative to the slide frame is determined. At that time, the image forming cartridge contact provided on the image forming cartridge and the cartridge-side contact portion provided on the slide frame press each other along the sixth direction.
According to this structure, the advantages are as follows. In this structure, when the image forming cartridge carries out an image forming operation, by using the force received by the image forming cartridge from the body frame, positioning between the image forming cartridge and the slide frame (and electrical connection between the image forming cartridge contact and the cartridge-side contact portion) can be reliably achieved in a simple structure.
(14) The number of the plurality of the electrode members may be equal to the number of the plurality of image forming cartridges.
In such a structure, the electrode members that electrically connect the body of the image forming apparatus to the plurality of image forming cartridges can be formed by means of a significantly simple structure.
(15) A plurality of image carriers may be disposed in the slide frame. In such a case, the image forming cartridge may be disposed so as to face one of the image carriers and develop an electrostatic latent image formed on a peripheral surface of the corresponding image carrier when the image forming cartridge is mounted in the slide frame. Here, the image carrier has a cylindrical shape and is disposed along a third direction that is perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. Additionally, the image carriers are aligned along the first direction so as to correspond to the image forming cartridges in a one-to-one fashion. Each of the image carriers is rotatably supported by the slide frame.
In such a structure, the image forming cartridge is inserted into the slide frame along the second direction and is mounted on the slide frame. At that time, physical contact and electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact portion and the image forming cartridge contact is achieved. In addition, the image forming cartridge is disposed so as to face the image carrier. Thus, the image forming cartridge can develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the image carrier.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention (what the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the present invention at the time this application was filed) are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Outline of Architecture of Color Laser Printer
A body section 110, which defines a body of the color laser printer 100, includes a body casing 111 and a body frame 112 accommodated in the body casing 111.
The body casing 111 has a parallelepiped shape formed from synthetic resin plates. A catch tray 111b is formed to the top surface 111a of the body casing 111. The catch tray 111b includes a part of the top surface 111a that slopes downward from the front side (proximal side) to the back side (distal side) thereof. That is, a recess formed on the top surface 111a functions as the catch tray 111b. A paper ejection port 111c, which is an opening, is formed on the upper portion of the body casing 111 and above the lower end of the catch tray 111b. The catch tray 111b can hold a paper sheet ejected from the paper ejection port 111c.
A front opening 111d is formed on the front side of the body casing 111. In addition, a planar front cover 111e is attached to the front side of the body casing 111 so as to cover the front opening 111d. The front cover 111e is supported in a pivotal manner about the lower end thereof.
The body frame 112 supports a variety of parts accommodated in the body section 110 and needed for an image forming operation. The body frame 112 includes a driving source and a driving force transmission mechanism for rotatably driving the above-described parts.
In the interior of the body frame 112, a pair of upper guide rails 112a and a pair of lower guide rails 112b extend inwardly. The upper guide rails 112a have a length direction which is indicated by arrow S (a sliding direction). The sliding direction corresponding to the first direction in the present invention is substantially parallel to the fore-aft direction of the color laser printer 100. The upper guide rails 112a are aligned along a width direction of the color laser printer 100 (i.e., a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction and the vertical direction) so as to extend towards inside the color laser printer 100. The lower guide rails 112b are disposed so as to be substantially parallel to the upper guide rails 112a. An image-forming-unit removal guide groove 112c is formed between the upper guide rail 112a and the lower guide rail 112b on either side.
A color image forming unit 120 is accommodated in the body frame 112. The color image forming unit 120 includes a slide frame 130 and an image forming cartridge 140. The slide frame 130 serves as a member (an image forming cartridge supporter) for supporting the image forming cartridge 140. The image forming cartridge 140 is supported by the body frame 112 so as to be pulled out from the body frame 112 in the sliding direction (the direction indicated by arrow S). A front beam 131 of the slide frame 130 is disposed so as to face the front opening 111d. A front-side grip 131a is formed on the proximal side of the front beam 131 (i.e., the front side).
In the color laser printer 100 according to the present embodiment, when the front cover 111e is open towards the front side and the front-side grip 131a is pulled out in the sliding direction (the direction indicated by arrow S), as shown in
As shown in
Thus, according to the present embodiment, for the body frame 112 and the slide frame 130, the flanges 132a and 133a are guided by the image-forming-unit removal guide groove 112c so that the color image forming unit 120 can be pulled out in the sliding direction.
As shown in
The slide frame 130 includes the front beam 131, the supporting plate 132, the supporting plate 133, a rear beam 134, and side plates 135, and side plates 136.
The front end of either one of the supporting plates 132 and 133 is connected to the front beam 131. The rear end of either one of the supporting plates 132 and 133 is connected to the rear beam 134. These front beam 131, the supporting plate 132, the supporting plate 133, and the rear beam 134 forms a rectangular frame in plan view, which serves as a main frame of the slide frame 130. Inside the rectangular frame, the four image forming cartridges 140 are aligned along the sliding direction.
An inverted U-shaped back-side grip 134a is formed on the upper end of the rear beam 134. The front-side grip 131a and the back-side grip 134a are formed so that the color image forming unit 120 (the slide frame 130) can be easily carried by holding the back-side grip 134a and the front-side grip 131a.
A pair of the side plates 135 and 136 supports the image forming cartridge 140 in the slide frame 130. According to the present embodiment, four pairs of side plates 135 and 136 are provided so as to correspond to the four image forming cartridges 140. Four pairs of the side plates 135 and 136 are aligned along the sliding direction. The four side plates 135 are supported by the supporting plate 132 disposed outside the side plates 135. Similarly, the four side plates 136 are supported by the supporting plate 133 disposed outside the side plates 136.
Outline of Internal Structure of Color Laser Printer
Outline of Structure of Image Forming Cartridge
The image forming cartridges 140 contain black toner (developer material), cyan toner, magenta toner, and yellow toner, respectively. That is, a black image forming cartridge 140K contains black toner. A cyan image forming cartridge 140C contains cyan toner. A magenta image forming cartridge 140M contains magenta toner. A yellow image forming cartridge 140Y contains yellow toner. The black image forming cartridge 140K, the cyan image forming cartridge 140C, the magenta image forming cartridge 140M, and the yellow image forming cartridge 140Y have the same structure.
Each of the image forming cartridges 140 includes a cartridge case 141, an agitator 142, a supply roller 143, a development roller 144, and a blade 145.
The cartridge case 141 can support the agitator 142, the supply roller 143, the development roller 144, and the blade 145, and can also contain toner, which serves as a developer material for developing an electrostatic latent image.
The agitator 142 agitates the toner particles contained in the cartridge case 141. The agitator 142 is rotatably supported by the cartridge case 141.
The supply roller 143 is formed from a sponge roller. The supply roller 143 is rotatably supported by the cartridge case 141. The development roller 144 is formed from a rubber roller. The development roller 144 is also rotatably supported by the cartridge case 141. The supply roller 143 and the development roller 144 are disposed in parallel so as to be in contact with each other.
The supply roller 143 is rotatably driven in a direction shown by an arrow of
The structure of the image forming cartridge 140 will be described in more detail later.
Outline of Structure of Drum Unit
Each of the drum units 150 includes a photoconductive drum 151 and a scorotron charger 152.
The photoconductive drum 151 allows an electrostatic latent image to be formed on the peripheral surface thereof. The photoconductive drum 151 is disposed so as to face the development roller 144 of the image forming cartridge 140. The scorotron charger 152 uniformly charges the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 151. The structure of the drum unit 150 will be described in more detail later.
In the scanner unit 160, a laser beam generated by a laser emitting unit (not shown) on the basis of image data scans the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 151 in the width direction (a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of
Structure of Transfer Unit
The transfer unit 170 includes a belt driving roller 171, a driven roller 172, a transport belt 173, a transfer roller 174, and a belt cleaner 175.
The belt driving roller 171 is disposed closer to the back side than the drum unit 150 that faces the black image forming cartridge 140K located at the closest position to the back side among the plurality of image forming cartridges 140. The driven roller 172 is disposed closer to the front side than the drum unit 150 that faces the yellow image forming cartridge 140Y located at the closest position to the front side among the plurality of image forming cartridges 140. The belt driving roller 171 and the driven roller 172 are rotatably supported by the body section 110.
The transport belt 173 is in the form of a continuous belt. The transport belt 173 is formed from a conductive resin film such as a conductive polycarbonate or polyimide film in which conductive particles (such as carbon particles) are dispersed. The transport belt 173 is entrained about the belt driving roller 171 and the driven roller 172. When the belt driving roller 171 rotates in the direction shown by an arrow in
The transfer roller 174 is disposed beneath the photoconductive drum 151 so as to face the photoconductive drum 151 with the transport belt 173 therebetween. The transfer roller 174 is rotatably supported. The transfer roller 174 can rotate in synchronization with the movement of the transport belt 173 in a direction indicated by arrows of
The belt cleaner 175 is disposed beneath the transport belt 173 that is entrained under the transfer rollers 174. The belt cleaner 175 is configured to clean the surface areas of the transport belt 173 which have faced the image forming cartridges 140 and the drum units 150.
Structure of Feeder Unit
A feeder case 181 defines a casing of the feeder unit 180. The feeder case 181 can store a plurality of the stacked paper sheets P. A sheet pressure plate 182 is disposed in the feeder case 181. A rear end 182a of the sheet pressure plate 182, which is located at the back side (the left-hand side in
A feed roller 183 is disposed above the front end 182b of the sheet pressure plate 182. The feed roller 183 is formed from synthetic rubber. The feed roller 183 is supported by the body section 110 so as to be rotatably driven in the direction indicated by an arrow of
In the direction in which the paper sheet P is fed by the feed roller 183 (the front side, i.e., the right-hand side in
A separation pad 185 is disposed so as to face the separation roller 184. The separation pad 185 has a separation surface 185a that faces the separation roller 184. The separation surface 185a is formed from a material having a high coefficient of friction (such as synthetic rubber or felt). A separation pad biasing spring 186 is disposed beneath the separation pad 185. The separation pad biasing spring 186 presses the separation pad 185 against the separation roller 184 so that the separation roller 184 and the separation pad 185 press each other.
When the separation roller 184 is rotatably driven in the direction indicated by an arrow of
The paper-dust removal roller 187 removes paper dusts deposited on the paper sheet P. The paper-dust removal roller 187 is disposed so as to face the pinch roller 188. The paper-dust removal roller 187 is also disposed so as to be parallel to the pinch roller 188 along the direction in which the paper sheet P is fed by the separation roller 184.
Structure of Sheet Transport and Fixing System
In the transfer unit 170, at a position closer to the front side than the driven roller 172, a sheet transport roller 191 and a sheet guide 192 are disposed. The sheet transport roller 191 and the sheet guide 192 are configured to transport the paper sheet P fed from the feeder unit 180 onto the transport belt 173 disposed on the peripheral surface of the driven roller 172.
In the transfer unit 170, a fixing unit 193 is disposed at a position that is closer to the back side than the belt driving roller 171 and that is the destination of the paper sheet P delivered by the belt driving roller 171 and the transport belt 173.
The fixing unit 193 includes a heat roller 193a and a pressure roller 193b. The heat roller 193a includes a metallic cylinder with the surface subjected to a mold release treatment. The metallic cylinder accommodates a halogen lamp. The heat roller 193a is rotatably supported so as to be driven in a direction indicated by an arrow in
The paper sheet P is transported by the heat roller 193a and the pressure roller 193b to a fused sheet transport roller 194 and a pinch roller 195. The fused sheet transport roller 194 is rotatably supported so as to be driven in a direction indicated by an arrow of
The fused sheet transport roller 194 and the pinch roller 195 transport the fused paper sheet P to fused sheet guides 196a and 196b. The fused sheet guides 196a and 196b can guide the fused paper sheet P transported by the fused sheet transport roller 194 and the pinch roller 195 to a contact point between a paper ejection roller 197 and a paper ejection driven roller 198.
The paper ejection roller 197 and the paper ejection driven roller 198 are disposed in the vicinity of the paper ejection port 111c so as to face the paper ejection port 111c. The paper ejection roller 197 is rotatably disposed so as to be driven in a direction indicated by an arrow of
Detailed Internal Structure of Image Forming Cartridge
As shown in
A cartridge grip 141a1 is formed on the top surface of the toner container case 141a. The cartridge grip 141a1 is used to mount or dismount the image forming cartridge 140. Partition walls 141c and 141d are formed in the interface between the toner container case 141a and the roller supporter 141b. A toner passage opening 141e for allowing the toner particles to pass therethrough is formed between the partition walls 141c and 141d.
The agitator 142 is rotatably disposed in the toner container 140a of the toner container case 141a. The agitator 142 includes a metallic agitator rotation center shaft 142a and an agitating member 142b secured to the agitator rotation center shaft 142a. When the agitator 142 is rotatably driven, the agitator 142 agitates the toner particles contained in the toner container 140a and delivers the toner particles to the toner passage opening 141e.
The supply roller 143 is rotatably supported in the roller supporter 141b and in the vicinity of the toner passage opening 141e. The supply roller 143 is disposed between the development roller 144 and the toner passage opening 141e. The supply roller 143 includes a metallic supply-roller rotation center shaft 143a and a sponge layer 143b formed around the supply-roller rotation center shaft 143a. When the supply roller 143 is rotatably driven in a direction indicated by an arrow of
A development-roller exposure opening 141f is formed on an end of the cartridge case 141 adjacent to the roller supporter 141b. The development-roller exposure opening 141f is formed so that the peripheral surface of the development roller 144 can be exposed to outside the cartridge case 141 (to the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 151).
The development roller 144 includes a metallic development-roller rotation center shaft 144a and a semiconductive rubber layer 144b formed around the development-roller rotation center shaft 144a. The semiconductive rubber layer 144b is formed by mixing carbon black with synthetic rubber. That is, the development roller 144 is formed so that a developing bias voltage can be applied to the interface between the peripheral surface of the development roller 144 and the photoconductive drum 151.
The development roller 144 is disposed so as to press against the sponge layer 143b of the supply roller 143 at a predetermined pressure. Thus, the sponge layer 143b deforms when pressed by the development roller 144. Additionally, when the development roller 144 and the supply roller 143 are rotatably driven in the directions indicated by the arrows of
The blade 145 includes a blade body 145a and a blade tip 145b. The blade body 145a is formed from a flexible metallic plate. The blade tip 145b is formed from synthetic rubber. The blade tip 145b is secured at the top end of the blade body 145a. The base end of the blade body 145a (an end remote from the end at which the blade tip 145b is secured) is pressed by a blade presser 145c formed from a metallic plate and is secured to the cartridge case 141 by means of, for example, a screw. At that time, the blade 145 is disposed so that, since the blade body 145a resiliently deforms, the blade tip 145b is pressed against the peripheral surface of the development roller 144 at a predetermined pressure. Since the blade tip 145b is pressed against the peripheral surface of the development roller 144 at a predetermined pressure, the blade 145 can control the amount of toner particles deposited on the peripheral surface of the development roller 144 and the amount of charge retained on the peripheral surface of the development roller 144.
Detailed Structure of Drum Unit
As shown in
The photoconductive drum 151 includes a metallic photoconductive-drum rotation center shaft 151a and a sleeve-shaped drum body 151b formed around the metallic photoconductive-drum rotation center shaft 151a. The drum body 151b includes a metallic sleeve and a photoconductive layer (a photoconductive resin layer) formed on the outer surface of the sleeve. The photoconductive-drum rotation center shaft 151a is coupled with an end of the drum body 151b. Also, the photoconductive-drum rotation center shaft 151a is electrically connected to the drum body 151b.
The scorotron charger 152 is disposed upstream of a position at which the photoconductive drum 151 faces the development roller 144 (a position at which the photoconductive drum 151 is the closest to the development roller 144) in the rotational direction of the photoconductive drum 151 (the direction indicated by an arrow of
The scorotron charger 152 includes a discharge wire 152a and a grid 152b. The discharge wire 152a and the grid 152b are electrically connected to a high-voltage power supply for outputting a predetermined high voltage.
The drum cleaner 153 for cleaning the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 151 is disposed upstream of a position at which the photoconductive drum 151 faces the scorotron charger 152 (a position at which the photoconductive drum 151 is the closest to the scorotron charger 152) in the rotational direction of the photoconductive drum 151 (the direction indicated by the arrow of
The photoconductive drum 151 is rotatably supported by the drum unit frame 154. The drum unit frame 154 is formed from a synthetic resin. Additionally, the scorotron charger 152 and the drum cleaner 153 are supported by the drum unit frame 154 at predetermined positions.
Detailed External Structure of Image Forming Cartridge
As shown in
As shown in
The structure of the gear train 146 is described in more detail next. A gear cover 146a is provided so as to cover an end of the cartridge case 141 in the width direction. As shown in
As shown in
The agitator driving gear 146c is mounted on an end of the agitator rotation center shaft 142a. The agitator driving gear 146c is engaged with the coupling gear 146b via an intermediate gear (not shown).
The supply roller driving gear 146d is coupled with an end of the supply-roller rotation center shaft 143a. The supply roller driving gear 146d is directly engaged with the coupling gear 146b.
The development roller driving gear 146e is coupled with an end of the development-roller rotation center shaft 144a. The development roller driving gear 146e is directly engaged with the coupling gear 146b.
A collar member 147 is provided so as to cover an end of the development-roller rotation center shaft 144a. The collar member 147 is formed from a conductive synthetic resin (e.g., a synthetic resin mixed with carbon black). The collar member 147 is in contact with the development-roller rotation center shaft 144a, and therefore, the collar member 147 is electrically connected to the development-roller rotation center shaft 144a (the development roller 144). As shown in
Detailed Structure of Sliding Frame
As shown in
As noted above, a plurality of the side plates 135 and 136 are aligned along the sliding direction (the direction indicated by arrow S of
The structure of each component of the slide frame 130 is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Structure of Supporting Plate on One Side
As shown in
A plurality of coupling through-holes 132b is formed in the supporting plate 132. The coupling gear 146b is exposed through a corresponding one of the coupling through-holes 132b so as to be engaged with the coupling input shaft 112d. The coupling through-holes 132b are aligned along the sliding direction (the direction indicated by arrow S of
A conductive-drum shaft supporting hole 132c is formed diagonally below each of the coupling through-holes 132b. The photoconductive-drum rotation center shaft 151a is inserted into the conductive-drum shaft supporting hole 132c.
Structure of Side Plate
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The guide groove 136a formed on the side plate 136 includes a lead-in portion 136a1, a guide portion 136a2, and a supporting portion 136a3. It is noted that the guide groove 135a of the side plate 135 has a similar structure.
The lead-in portion 136a1 is formed so as to be open in, substantially, a “V-shape” in side view. The lead-in portion 136a1 facilitates the easy insertion of the collar member 147 into the guide groove 136a when the image forming cartridge 140 is mounted in the slide frame 130, as shown in
Referring back to
That is, as shown in
Detailed Configuration of Electric Connecting Part Between Image Forming Cartridge and Slide Frame
As shown in
Positioning end surfaces 136a5 and 136a6 are formed on the supporting portion 136a3. The positioning end surface 136a5 includes a wall surface of the supporting portion 136a3 that faces the electrode exposure opening 136a4. The positioning end surface 136a6 includes a wall surface of the end of the guide groove 136a. When the peripheral surface of the collar member 147 (see
Detailed Structure of Electrode Member
As shown in
The base end portion 121a and the body-side contact portion 121b function as one arm portion of the torsion coil spring. This arm portion extends outwardly from the connection coil spring portion 121c. The body-side contact portion 121b is provided between the base end portion 121a and the connection coil spring portion 121c. The body-side contact portion 121b has substantially a “U-shape”. The body-side contact portion 121b extends perpendicularly from a plane that is parallel to the base end portion 121a and the connection coil spring portion 121c.
The cartridge-side contact portion 121d functions as the other arm portion of the torsion coil spring. This arm portion extends outwardly from the connection coil spring portion 121c.
The connection coil spring portion 121c connects the body-side contact portion 121b to the cartridge-side contact portion 121d. When the cartridge-side contact portion 121d is pressed in a direction indicated by arrow r of
Supporting Structure of Electrode Member
As shown in
The body-side contact supporting portion 136b can support the body-side contact portion 121b while allowing a substantially middle portion of the body-side contact portion 121b (a portion parallel to the base end portion 121a and the connection coil spring portion 121c) to protrude outwardly. The coil supporting portion 136c allows the connection coil spring portion 121c to pass therethrough so as to support the connection coil spring portion 121c. The leg guide portion 136d is formed from a plate extending outwardly. The leg guide portion 136d can guide the swing movement of an arm end 121d1, which is an end of the cartridge-side contact portion 121d, about a center axis of the connection coil spring portion 121c. The base-end supporting portion 136e locks the base end portion 121a so as to support the base end portion 121a.
Detailed Configuration of Electrical Connection of Electrode Member
As shown in
More specifically, as shown in
Referring back to
As shown in
The body frame contact 112e is disposed so as to protrude towards the slide frame 130 (the color image forming unit 120). When the body frame contact 112e presses against the body-side contact portion 121b in a direction indicated by arrow C of
The operation of the structure according to the present embodiment is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Image Forming Operation
First, the image forming operation performed by the color laser printer 100 according to this embodiment is described with reference to
Paper Feed Operation
When the feed roller 183 is rotatably driven in a direction indicated by an arrow of
Development Operation
When the agitator 142 is rotatably driven, toner particles in the cartridge case 141 are agitated and are delivered to the supply roller 143. The toner particles delivered to the supply roller 143 are further delivered to the development roller 144 by the supply roller 143 rotating in a direction indicated by an arrow. Subsequently, the toner particles are tribocharged at a position where the supply roller 143 is in contact with the development roller 144. Thus, the toner particles adhere to the peripheral surface of the development roller 144. The density and the charge amount of the toner particles on the peripheral surface of the development roller 144 are adjusted to predetermined values by the blade 145. Thereafter, since the development roller 144 rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow of
After uniformly charged by the scorotron charger 152, the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 151 is irradiated with a laser beam in accordance with image information. Thus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 151 in accordance with the image information. When the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 151 having the electrostatic latent image formed thereon faces the peripheral surface of the development roller 144 having the toner particles with a predetermined density and charge amount deposited thereon, the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 151 is developed with the toner particles. Consequently, a toner image appears on the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 151.
Transfer Operation
The paper sheet P delivered to the transfer unit 170 is held on the transport belt 173. Thus, the paper sheet P is transported from the front side to the back side (from right to left in
Fixing and Paper Ejection Operations
After the toner particles are deposited on the surface of the paper sheet P in the transfer unit 170, the paper sheet P is delivered to the fixing unit 193. Thereafter, the paper sheet P is pinched by the heat roller 193a and the pressure roller 193b and is heated. Thus, the toner particles deposited on the paper sheet P are fused onto the surface of the paper sheet P. Subsequently, the paper sheet P is ejected to the catch tray 111b outside the body section 110 by the paper ejection roller 197.
Mount/Dismount Operation of Unit
The mount and dismount operations of the color image forming unit 120 in the color laser printer 100 are described next.
As shown in
When the color image forming unit 120 is further pulled out towards the proximal side, the color image forming unit 120 can be completely removed to outside the body section 110, as shown in
Mount/Dismount Operation of Cartridge
The mount and dismount operations of the image forming cartridge 140 to and from the color image forming unit 120 in the color laser printer 100 are described next.
As shown in
When the collar member 147 passes through the lower end of the guide portion 136a2 and reaches the supporting portion 136a3, the collar member 147 is guided obliquely downward along the swing direction of the cartridge indicated by arrow A′ of
As shown in
Positioning of Image Forming Cartridge
As shown in
As shown in
That is, when the rotational driving force is provided to the coupling gear 146b in the direction indicated by arrow D of
The advantages of the structure according to the present embodiment are described next.
As shown in
In such a structure, by simply mounting the slide frame 130 on the body frame 112, electrical connection between the body section 110 and the image forming cartridge 140 mounted on the slide frame 130 is achieved. In addition, according to this structure, by simply pulling out the slide frame 130 from the body frame 112 in the sliding direction (the direction indicated by arrow S), the body section 110 is electrically disconnected from the image forming cartridge 140. As noted above, according to this structure, the electrical connection and disconnection between the body section 110 and the image forming cartridge 140 are provided in conjunction with the relative movement between the body section 110 and the slide frame 130 (the color image forming unit 120). Accordingly, the electrical connection between the body section 110 and the image forming cartridge 140 can be easily achieved using a simple structure. Consequently, this structure can facilitate the maintenance of the color laser printer 100.
As shown in
In such a structure, when the slide frame 130 slides in the sliding direction (the direction indicated by arrow S), the mounting state of the image forming cartridge 140 on the slide frame 130 tends to remain unchanged. Thus, when the slide frame 130 is inserted into the body frame 112 along the sliding direction (the direction indicated by arrow S), a loose electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact portion 121d and the collar member 147 caused by a positional shift of the slide frame 130 from the image forming cartridge 140 can be inhibited. Accordingly, reliable electrical contact between the body section 110 and the image forming cartridge 140 can be achieved.
As shown in
In such a structure, part of the electrode member 121 that extends to outside the slide frame 130 is limited to the body-side contact portion 121b. Accordingly, mechanical interference between the body frame contact 112e provided on the body frame 112 and the cartridge-side contact portion 121d is inhibited. Thus, in this structure, reliable electrical connection between the body section 110 and the slide frame 130 and reliable electrical connection between the slide frame 130 and the image forming cartridge 140 can be achieved.
As shown in
Consequently, this structure can facilitate the maintenance of the color laser printer 100.
As shown in
According to such a structure, reliable electrical connection between the body frame contact 112e and the body-side contact portion 121b can be achieved using the simple structure.
As shown in
According to such a structure, the mount and dismount operation of the image forming cartridge 140 and positioning of the image forming cartridge 140 relative to the slide frame 130 are not affected by the pressure between the cartridge-side contact portion 121d and the collar member 147. Accordingly, the mount and dismount operation of the image forming cartridge 140 can be smoothly carried out. In addition, reliable electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact portion 121d and the collar member 147 can be achieved using the simple structure.
As shown in
According to such a structure, compared with the case where the direction in which the cartridge-side contact portion 121d and the collar member 147 press each other is parallel to the direction in which the body-side contact portion 121b and the body frame contact 112e press each other, the size of the slide frame 130 (the color image forming unit 120) in the width direction can be further reduced.
Additionally, since the direction of an urging force acting on the body-side contact portion 121b is substantially perpendicular to the direction of an urging force acting on the cartridge-side contact portion 121d, the interference between the urging force acting on the body-side contact portion 121b and the urging force acting on the cartridge-side contact portion 121d is inhibited. Accordingly, unreliable electrical connections at the body-side contact portion 121b and the cartridge-side contact portion 121d can be inhibited. Accordingly, reliable electrical connection caused by the physical contact between the cartridge-side contact portion 121d and the collar member 147 can be achieved using the simple structure.
As shown in
According to such a structure, the positioning between the image forming cartridge 140 and the slide frame 130 can be reliably carried out.
As shown in
According to such a structure, the collar member 147 of the image forming cartridge 140 is guided by the guide groove 136a and, subsequently, the cartridge-side contact portion 121d that is disposed so as to face the guide groove 136a is electrically connected to the collar member 147. Accordingly, the reliability of the electrical connection can be improved using the simple structure.
As shown in
This structure provides the following advantage. According to such a structure, the electrode member 121 can have a significantly simple structure. Additionally, since the electrode member 121 is disposed in the vicinity of the guide groove 136a of the side plate 136, reliable electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact portion 121d that faces the guide groove 136a and the collar member 147 can be achieved.
As shown in
According to such a structure, when the collar member 147 presses against the cartridge-side contact portion 121d while resisting the elastic force of the torsion coil spring, the cartridge-side contact portion 121d is in contact with the collar member 147 and is electrically connected to the collar member 147. Thus, reliable contact and reliable electrical connection between the cartridge-side contact portion 121d and the collar member 147 are achieved.
As shown in
According to such a structure, the image forming cartridge 140 can be smoothly mounted on the slide frame 130 using the significantly simple structure. In addition, this significantly simple structure can provide reliable electrical connection between the development roller 144 and the cartridge-side contact portion 121d.
As shown in
According to such a structure, the side plate 136 and the guide groove 136a can be produced through significantly simple manufacturing steps at low cost.
As shown in
According to such a structure, even when foreign materials, such as dust and grease, are generated on a portion to which the driving force is transferred in the vicinity of the coupling gear 146b, deposition of the foreign materials to electrical contact points between the electrode member 121 and the collar member 147 and between the electrode member 121 and the body frame contact 112e can be reliably inhibited. Accordingly, reliable electrical connection at the electrical contact points can be achieved.
As shown in
According to such a structure, the electrode member 121 can be formed using a significantly simple structure.
Modifications
As noted above, the embodiments above provide illustrations of some of the preferred embodiments that the inventor believes to be the best mode for practicing the present invention at the time this application was filed. Therefore, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be understood that many modifications are possible which remain within the concept, scope, and spirit of the invention.
Several modifications are described herewith. However, it should be understood that the modifications are not limited thereto. The above-described embodiments and the following modification should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention because this would unfairly disadvantage the present inventor who filed the application and this would unfairly benefit an imitator of the invention.
(1) According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus is not limited to a color laser printer. For example, the present invention is applicable to a color copier.
(2) In
(3)
(4) According to the present invention, operational and functional elements included in means for solving the problems include any structures that can realize the above-described embodiments and modifications as well as the specific structures described in the foregoing embodiments and modifications.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-281139 | Sep 2005 | JP | national |
This application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 16/130,708, filed Sep. 13, 2018, which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 15/643,939, filed Jul. 7, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,082,763B2, issued Sep. 25, 2018), which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 15/098,590, filed Apr. 14, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,709,949B2, issued Jul. 18, 2017), which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 14/318,039, filed Jun. 27, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,317,000B2, issued Apr. 19, 2016), which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 13/936,528, filed Jul. 8, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,768,197B2, issued Jul. 1, 2014), which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 13/567,404, filed Aug. 6, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,483,588B2, issued Jul. 9, 2013), which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 13/239,966, filed Sep. 22, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,249,482B2, issued Aug. 21, 2012), which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 12/756,486, filed Apr. 8, 2010 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,041,248B2, issued Oct. 18, 2011), which is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 11/525,070, filed Sep. 22, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,711,282B2, issued May 4, 2010), which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) on Patent Application No. 2005-281139, filed in Japan on Sep. 28, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200081393 A1 | Mar 2020 | US |
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| Parent | 16130708 | Sep 2018 | US |
| Child | 16683566 | US | |
| Parent | 15643939 | Jul 2017 | US |
| Child | 16130708 | US | |
| Parent | 15098590 | Apr 2016 | US |
| Child | 15643939 | US | |
| Parent | 14318039 | Jun 2014 | US |
| Child | 15098590 | US | |
| Parent | 13936528 | Jul 2013 | US |
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| Parent | 13567404 | Aug 2012 | US |
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| Parent | 13239966 | Sep 2011 | US |
| Child | 13567404 | US | |
| Parent | 12756486 | Apr 2010 | US |
| Child | 13239966 | US | |
| Parent | 11525070 | Sep 2006 | US |
| Child | 12756486 | US |
