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US5164779A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Image forming apparatus with dual voltage supplies for selectively charging and discharging an image bearing member

Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1991-04-15
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Granted: 1992-11-17
•
Expires: 2011-04-15
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Abstract

Abstract An image forming apparatus includes a charger for charging an image bearing member. The charger includes a charging member contacted to the image bearing member and supplied with a voltage. The charger functions both as discharging device and charging device by switching a voltage applied thereto. The apparatus is made smaller, simpler and less expensive in cost.

Inventors

  • 👤 Junji Araya
  • 👤 Noribumi Koitabashi
  • 👤 Shunji Nakamura
  • 👤 Hiromitsu Hirabayashi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 06:15
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/02; G03G15/0208; G03G15/0216; G03G21/00; G03G21/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 86
Claim 1
Independent Claim 142 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; said image forming means including means for charging said image bearing member, which includes a charging member contacted to said image bearing member and means for applying first and second vibratory voltages to said charging member; wherein said charging means also functions as means for electrically discharging said image bearing member, and wherein when it charges said image bearing member, said voltage applying means applies to said charging member a first vibratory voltage, and when it functions as the discharging means, said voltage applying means applies to said charging member a second vibratory voltage having a center of vibration whose absolute value is smaller than that of a center of vibration of the first voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 142 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; said image forming means including means for charging said image bearing member, which includes a charging member contacted to said image bearing member and means for applying first and second vibratory voltages to said charging member; wherein said charging means also functions as means for electrically discharging said image bearing member, and wherein when it charges said image bearing member, said voltage applying means applies to said charging member a first vibratory voltage, and when it functions as the discharging means, said voltage applying means applies to said charging member a second vibratory voltage having a center of vibration whose absolute value is smaller than that of a center of vibration of the first voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the vibratory voltages is provided with superimposition of a DC voltage and an AC voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 71 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said voltage applying means includes first means for applying, as the first voltage, a superimposed AC and DC voltage to said charging member and second means for applying, as the second voltage, only the AC voltage to said charging member and means for selecting the first and second means, wherein the second means is selected upon said charging means functioning as the discharging means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 34 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said selecting means selects said second applying means after said first applying means is selected, and thereafter, the AC voltage applied to said charging member is stopped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bearing member is electrically discharged by said discharging means during one full rotation of said image bearing member prior to an image forming operation thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 51 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said image forming means further includes means for forming a latent image corresponding to image information on said image bearing member after said image bearing member is charged by said charging means, and means for effecting a regular development to develop the latent image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image bearing member is electrically discharged by said discharging means during one full rotation of said image bearing member after an image formation operation thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 42 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, 5 or 7, wherein a peak-to-peak voltage of each of the vibratory voltage applied to said charging member is not less than twice an absolute value of a charge starting voltage of the image bearing member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 60 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said charging member includes a surface region contacted to a surface of said image bearing member and another surface region continuous thereto in which said charging member is away from the surface of said image bearing member toward a downstream with respect to movement direction of the surface of said image bearing member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 18 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said charging member is in the form of a rotatable roller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image bearing member is a photosensitive member, and wherein said image forming means includes exposure means for exposing said photosensitive member to image information light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 43 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising cleaning means for removing a residual developer from said image bearing member, wherein said charging means is disposed between said cleaning means and said exposure means in a movement direction of said image bearing member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said charging member includes a conductive rubber material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said charging member and said image bearing member are supported in a process cartridge which is detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a center of vibration of the second vibratory voltage is zero.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 15 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the second vibratory voltage is an AC voltage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 133 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; said image forming means including means for charging said image bearing member, which includes a charging member contacted to said image bearing member and means for applying a voltage to said charging means; wherein said charging means also functions as member for electrically discharging said image bearing member, and wherein said voltage applying means includes a first applying means for applying a first voltage to said charging member upon said image bearing member being charged and a second applying means for applying a second voltage to said charging member upon said image bearing member being electrically discharged, and means for selecting first and second applying means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 133 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; said image forming means including means for charging said image bearing member, which includes a charging member contacted to said image bearing member and means for applying a voltage to said charging means; wherein said charging means also functions as member for electrically discharging said image bearing member, and wherein said voltage applying means includes a first applying means for applying a first voltage to said charging member upon said image bearing member being charged and a second applying means for applying a second voltage to said charging member upon said image bearing member being electrically discharged, and means for selecting first and second applying means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 22 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said first voltage is provided by superimposition of a DC voltage and an AC voltage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 14 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said second voltage includes an AC voltage.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 50 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein each of the voltages are a vibratory voltage, and a peak-to-peak voltage of each of the vibratory voltages applied to said charging member is not less than twice an absolute value of a charge starting voltage of said image bearing member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 14 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said second voltage is a constant voltage.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 23 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein charging member is grounded upon said image bearing member being discharged by said second applying means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 72 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said image bearing member is a photosensitive member, and wherein said image forming means includes exposure means for exposing said photosensitive member to image information light, said apparatus further comprising cleaning means for removing a residual developer from said image bearing member, wherein said charging means is disposed between said cleaning means and said exposure means in a movement direction of said image bearing member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 31 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said first voltage and said second voltages have an AC component, and wherein said first and second means have a common AC voltage source.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 18 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said charging member is in the form of a rotatable roller.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 15 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said charging member includes a conductive rubber material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 30 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said charging member and said image bearing member are supported in a process cartridge which is detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 214 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising; a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; said image forming means including means for charging said image bearing member, which includes a charging member contacted to said image bearing member and means for applying first and second vibratory voltages to said charging member; wherein said charging means also functions as means for electrically discharging said image bearing member, and wherein when it charges said image bearing member, said voltage applying means applies to said charging member a first vibratory voltage, and when it functions as the discharging means, said voltage applying means applies to said charging member a second vibratory voltage having a center of vibration whose value is smaller than that of a center of vibration in the first voltage; wherein said image bearing member is a photosensitive member, and wherein said image forming means includes exposure means for exposing said photosensitive member to image information light; and, wherein an absolute value of a center of vibration of the second vibratory voltage is set to be less than an absolute value of a saturated potential which is a potential saturated as a result of attenuation of a charged photosensitive member exposed to light.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 214 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising; a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; said image forming means including means for charging said image bearing member, which includes a charging member contacted to said image bearing member and means for applying first and second vibratory voltages to said charging member; wherein said charging means also functions as means for electrically discharging said image bearing member, and wherein when it charges said image bearing member, said voltage applying means applies to said charging member a first vibratory voltage, and when it functions as the discharging means, said voltage applying means applies to said charging member a second vibratory voltage having a center of vibration whose value is smaller than that of a center of vibration in the first voltage; wherein said image bearing member is a photosensitive member, and wherein said image forming means includes exposure means for exposing said photosensitive member to image information light; and, wherein an absolute value of a center of vibration of the second vibratory voltage is set to be less than an absolute value of a saturated potential which is a potential saturated as a result of attenuation of a charged photosensitive member exposed to light.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 26 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein each of the vibratory voltages is provided by means of superimposition of a DC voltage and an AC voltage.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 49 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said voltage applying means includes first means for applying, as the first voltage, a superimposed AC and DC voltage, and second means for applying, as the second voltage, only an AC voltage, and means for selectively switching said first and second means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 50 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 or 30, wherein said voltage applying means includes first means for applying the first voltage, second means for applying the second voltage, and means for selectively switching said first and second means, wherein said first and second means has a common AC voltage source.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 20 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 or 30, wherein said first and second means has a common AC voltage source.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 36 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said image bearing member is electrically discharged by said discharging means at least during one full rotation of said image bearing member prior to an image forming operation thereon.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 35 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said image bearing member is electrically discharged by said discharging means at least during one full rotation of said image bearing member after an image formation operation thereon.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 39 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein a peak-to-peak voltage of each of the vibratory voltages applied to said charging member is not less than twice an absolute value of a charge starting voltage of said image bearing member.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 18 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said charging member is in the form of a rotatable roller.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 15 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said charging member comprises a conductive rubber material.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 30 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said charging member and said image bearing member are supported in a process cartridge which is detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 43 words
An apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising cleaning means for removing a residual developer from said image bearing member, wherein said charging means is disposed between said cleaning means and said exposure means in a movement direction of said image bearing member.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 176 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; said image forming means including means for charging said image bearing member, which includes a charging member contacted to said image bearing member and means for applying first and second vibratory voltages to said charging member; wherein said charging means also functions as means for electrically discharging said image bearing member, and wherein when it charges said image bearing member, said voltage applying means applies to said charging member a first vibratory voltage, and when it functions as the discharging means, said voltage applying means applies to said charging member a second vibratory voltage having a center of vibration whose absolute value is smaller than that of a center of vibration in the first voltage; and, wherein a peak-to-peak voltage of each of the vibratory voltage applied to said charging member is not less than twice an absolute value of a charge starting voltage of said image bearing member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 176 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; said image forming means including means for charging said image bearing member, which includes a charging member contacted to said image bearing member and means for applying first and second vibratory voltages to said charging member; wherein said charging means also functions as means for electrically discharging said image bearing member, and wherein when it charges said image bearing member, said voltage applying means applies to said charging member a first vibratory voltage, and when it functions as the discharging means, said voltage applying means applies to said charging member a second vibratory voltage having a center of vibration whose absolute value is smaller than that of a center of vibration in the first voltage; and, wherein a peak-to-peak voltage of each of the vibratory voltage applied to said charging member is not less than twice an absolute value of a charge starting voltage of said image bearing member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 25 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein each of the vibratory voltages is provided means of superimposition of a DC voltage and an AC voltage.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 47 words
An apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said voltage applying means includes first means for applying the first voltage, second means for applying the second voltage, and means for selectively switching said first and second means, wherein said first and second means has a common AC voltage.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 49 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said voltage applying means includes first means for applying, as the first voltage, a superimposed AC and DC voltage, and second means for applying, as the second voltage, only an AC voltage, and means for selectively switching said first and second means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 18 words
An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said first and second means has a common AC voltage source.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 26 words
An apparatus according to claim 30 or 43, wherein the Ac voltage applied to said charging member is stopped, after said second applying means is selected.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 35 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said image bearing member is electrically discharged by said discharging means at least one full rotation of said image bearing member prior to an image forming operation thereon.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 35 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said image bearing member is electrically discharged by said discharging means at least during one full rotation of said image bearing member after an image formation operation thereon.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 18 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said charging member is in the form of a rotatable roller.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 15 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said charging member comprises a conductive rubber material.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim 30 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said charging member and said image bearing member are supported in a process cartridge which is detachably mountable into said image forming apparatus.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 72 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said image bearing member is a photosensitive member, and wherein said image forming means includes exposure means for exposing said photosensitive member to image information light, said apparatus further comprising cleaning means for removing a residual developer from said image bearing member, wherein said charging means is disposed between said cleaning means and said exposure mean sin a movement direction of said image bearing member.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, 28, or 40, wherein a center of the second voltage has the same polarity as that of the first voltage.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 176 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; said image forming means including means for charging said image bearing member, which includes a charging member contacted to said image bearing member and means for applying a voltage to said charging member; wherein said charging means also functions as means for electrically discharging said image bearing member, and wherein said voltage applying means includes a first applying means for applying a first voltage to said charging member upon said image bearing member being charged and a second applying means for applying a second voltage to said charging member upon said image bearing member being electrically discharged, and means for selecting first and second applying means; and wherein each of the voltages is a vibratory voltage, and a peak-to-peak voltage of each of the vibratory voltages applies to said charging member is not less than twice an absolute value of a charge starting voltage of said image bearing member.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 176 words
An image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; means for forming an image on said image bearing member; said image forming means including means for charging said image bearing member, which includes a charging member contacted to said image bearing member and means for applying a voltage to said charging member; wherein said charging means also functions as means for electrically discharging said image bearing member, and wherein said voltage applying means includes a first applying means for applying a first voltage to said charging member upon said image bearing member being charged and a second applying means for applying a second voltage to said charging member upon said image bearing member being electrically discharged, and means for selecting first and second applying means; and wherein each of the voltages is a vibratory voltage, and a peak-to-peak voltage of each of the vibratory voltages applies to said charging member is not less than twice an absolute value of a charge starting voltage of said image bearing member.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 31 words
An apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said first voltage and said second voltages have an AC component, and wherein said first and second means have a common Ac voltage source.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim 22 words
An apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said first voltage is provided by superimposition of a DC voltage and an AC voltage.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim 14 words
An apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said second voltage includes an AC voltage.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim 14 words
An apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said second voltage is a constant voltage.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim 23 words
An apparatus according to claim 57, wherein charging member is grounded upon said image bearing member being discharged by said second applying means.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim 72 words
An apparatus according to claim 53, wherein said image bearing member is a photosensitive member, and wherein said image forming means includes exposure means for exposing said photosensitive member to image information light, said apparatus further comprising cleaning means for removing a residual developer from said image bearing member, wherein said charging means is disposed between said cleaning means and said exposure means in a movement direction of said image bearing member.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim 22 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, 23, 28, 39, 51, or 59 wherein said image bearing member has an organic photoconductive layer.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim 23 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, 23, 28, 39, 51, or 59, wherein said image bearing member has an amorphous silicon photosensitive layer.
Claim 67
Independent Claim 44 words
An apparatus according to claims 11, 23, 28, 39, 51 or 59, wherein said image bearing member is not exposed to light before it is charged by said charging means, after the image is transferred from said image bearing member to the transfer material.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim 136 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; a charging member contactable to said image bearing member to charge said image bearing member to form an image thereon, said charging member being supplied with first and second vibratory voltages; wherein said charging member also functions as a discharging member for discharging said image bearing member, and when said charging member charges said image bearing member, said charging member is supplied with the first vibratory voltage, and when said charging member functions as the discharging member, said charging member is supplied with a second vibratory voltage having a center of vibration with an absolute value which is smaller than an absolute value of a center of vibration of the first vibratory voltage.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim 136 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; a charging member contactable to said image bearing member to charge said image bearing member to form an image thereon, said charging member being supplied with first and second vibratory voltages; wherein said charging member also functions as a discharging member for discharging said image bearing member, and when said charging member charges said image bearing member, said charging member is supplied with the first vibratory voltage, and when said charging member functions as the discharging member, said charging member is supplied with a second vibratory voltage having a center of vibration with an absolute value which is smaller than an absolute value of a center of vibration of the first vibratory voltage.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim 24 words
A cartridge according to claim 63, wherein each of the vibratory voltages is provided with superimposition of a DC voltage and an AC voltage.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim 39 words
A cartridge according to claim 63, wherein the first vibratory voltage is a DC-biased AC voltage, and the second voltage is a non-DC-biased AC voltage, and the first and second vibratory voltages are selectively supplied to said charging member.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim 34 words
A cartridge according to claim 63, wherein said image bearing member is discharged by said charging member through at least one full rotation of said image bearing member prior to an image forming operation.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim 33 words
A cartridge according to claim 63, wherein said image bearing member is discharged by said charging member through at least one full rotation of said image bearing member after an image forming operation.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim 39 words
A cartridge according to claim 63, wherein a peak-to-peak voltage of each of the vibratory voltages applied to said charging member is not less than twice an absolute value of a charge starting voltage of said image bearing member.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim 62 words
A cartridge according to claim 63, wherein said charging member includes a surface region contacted to a surface of said image bearing member and another surface region continuous thereto in which said charging member is away from the surface of said image bearing member in a downstream direction with respect to a movement direction of the surface of said image bearing member.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim 17 words
A cartridge according to claim 69, wherein said charging member is in the form of a roller.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim 15 words
A cartridge according to claim 63, wherein said image bearing member is a photosensitive member.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim 16 words
A cartridge according to claim 71, wherein said image bearing member comprises an organic photoconductive layer.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim 17 words
A cartridge according to claim 71, wherein said image bearing member comprises an amorphous silicon photosensitive layer.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim 38 words
A cartridge according to claim 71, wherein said image bearing member is not exposed to light before it is charged by said charging means, after the image is transferred from said image bearing member to the transfer material.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim 15 words
A cartridge according to claim 63, wherein said charging member comprises a conductive rubber material.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim 18 words
A cartridge according to claim 63, wherein a center of vibration of the second vibratory voltage is zero.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim 18 words
A cartridge according to claim 63, further comprising means for developing an image on said image bearing member.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim 24 words
A process cartridge according to claim 63, wherein a center of the second voltage has the same polarity as that of the first voltage.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim 145 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; a charging member contactable to said image bearing member to charge it for formation of an image thereon, said charging member being supplied with voltages; wherein said charging member also functions as a discharging member for discharging said image bearing member, and when said charging member charges said image bearing member, said charging member is supplied with a first voltage, and when said charging member functions as the discharging member, said charging member is supplied with a second voltage, and wherein said first and second voltages are vibratory voltages, and a peak-to-peak voltage of each of the vibratory voltages applied to said charging member is not less than twice an absolute value of a charge starting voltage of the image bearing member.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim 145 words
A process cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a movable image bearing member on which an image is repetitively formed; a charging member contactable to said image bearing member to charge it for formation of an image thereon, said charging member being supplied with voltages; wherein said charging member also functions as a discharging member for discharging said image bearing member, and when said charging member charges said image bearing member, said charging member is supplied with a first voltage, and when said charging member functions as the discharging member, said charging member is supplied with a second voltage, and wherein said first and second voltages are vibratory voltages, and a peak-to-peak voltage of each of the vibratory voltages applied to said charging member is not less than twice an absolute value of a charge starting voltage of the image bearing member.

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Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-11-17 1996-05-18 1996-11-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-11-17 2000-05-18 2000-11-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-11-17 2004-05-18 2004-11-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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