Drive transmitter, drive device, and image forming apparatus
AssigneeRicoh Company, Ltd.
InventorNaoki MATSUDA
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a developing device, a drive source, an electromagnetic clutch, and circuitry. The developing device includes a developer and a rotator to convey or stir the developer. The drive source generates a driving force to drive the rotator. The electromagnetic clutch transmits the driving force of the drive source to the rotator of the developing device. The circuitry controls current to be supplied to the electromagnetic clutch and changes a value of the current supplied to the electromagnetic clutch in accordance with a fluidity of the developer in the developing device.
Claims19
An image forming apparatus comprising:
- a developing device including:
- a developer;
- and
- a rotator to convey or stir the developer;
- a drive source to generate a driving force to drive the rotator;
- an electromagnetic clutch to transmit the driving force of the drive source to the rotator of the developing device;
- and
- circuitry configured to:
- control current to be supplied to the electromagnetic clutch;
- and
- change a value of the current supplied to the electromagnetic clutch in accordance with a fluidity of the developer in the developing device.
An image forming apparatus comprising:
- a developing device including:
- a developer;
- and
- a rotator to convey or stir the developer;
- a drive source to generate a driving force to drive the rotator;
- an electromagnetic clutch to transmit the driving force of the drive source to the rotator of the developing device;
- a winder to wind a protection sheet in the developing device;
- a drive transmission device to transmit, via the electromagnetic clutch, the driving force of the drive source to the winder to wind the protection sheet;
- and
- circuitry configured to:
- set a first value of a current supplied to the electromagnetic clutch during a developing operation of the developing device;
- and
- set a second value of the current supplied to the electromagnetic clutch when the winder winds the protection sheet, the second value larger than the first value.
An image forming apparatus comprising:
- an electromagnetic clutch including an electromagnetic coil;
- a drive source to drive the electromagnetic clutch;
- a helical gear coaxial with the electromagnetic clutch and assembled to the electromagnetic clutch, the helical gear to generate a thrust force to move the helical gear toward the electromagnetic coil of the electromagnetic clutch;
- and
- circuitry configured to gradually change a value of a current supplied to the electromagnetic clutch when the electromagnetic clutch is switched between on and off.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.