Contact development system reference structure
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorsPaul Douglas Horrall, Franklin Joseph Palumbo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A developer reference system for a contact development process having machine frame mounted support rollers for the developer roll. Skew between the PC drum and the developer roll is reduced by referencing each to the same support structure. Rolling resistance of the developer roll support rollers is reduced by using thin diameter metal pins for mounting the support rollers.
Claims24
A photo imaging apparatus comprising;
- a machine frame assembly including a photoconductive member support assembly;
- a photoconductive member mounted in said photoconductive member support assembly;
- a developer cartridge including a developer roll for applying toner to said photoconductive member;
- and
- a developer cartridge support assembly including a reference surface mounted on said photoconductive member support assembly and a support component supporting said developer cartridge on said reference surface.
A contact development system for applying toner to a photoconductive drum in an electrophotographic imaging machine, comprising:
- a photoconductive drum support assembly;
- a developer cartridge including a housing and a developer roll rotatably mounted in said housing;
- a reference surface in said photoconductive drum support assembly;
- and
- a developer cartridge support extending between said cartridge and said reference surface.
The contact development system of clam 11, said developer cartridge support including at least one leg connected to said housing and supported on said rollers.
A developer roll referencing apparatus for a contact developing system in an electrophotographic imaging machine having a machine frame including a PC drum support assembly and a photoconductive drum mounted in said PC drum support assembly, said development system including a developer cartridge having a housing and a developer roll, said referencing apparatus comprising:
- a reference surface in said PC drum support assembly;
- and
- a support component for said cartridge, said support component disposed on said reference surface.
A method for referencing a developer roll to a photoconductive drum in a contact development system of an electrophotographic imaging machine, comprising:
- providing a photoconductive drum support structure and a reference surface in the structure;
- providing a developer roll for rotation in contact with the photoconductive drum and a support member for the developer roll;
- urging the roll against the photoconductive drum;
- and
- supporting the roll by sliding engagement of the support member on the reference surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.