Developer cartridges, process cartridges, and image formation devices
AssigneeBrother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorHiroshi Tokuda
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
When a developer cartridge is not attached to an image formation apparatus body frame, a developer electrode included with the cartridge is disposed at a retract position at which the developer electrode does not protrude outside the cartridge. This protects the developer electrode from damage possibly caused by interference or contact with other components. After the developer cartridge is attached to the body frame, when the developer roller is rotated, the developer electrode is displaced to a connection position at which the developer electrode protrudes outside the cartridge (and is connected to a power supply electrode provided with the body frame).
Claims16
A developer cartridge, comprising:
- a cartridge housing;
- a developer roller configured to output developer from the cartridge housing;
- and
- a developer electrode electrically connected to the developer roller, wherein the developer electrode is configured to be movable with respect to the cartridge housing between a connection position for connecting to a power supply electrode for bias application and a retract position different from the connection position,
- wherein the developer electrode in the connection position is farther away outward from the cartridge housing than in the retract position.
A developer cartridge, comprising:
- a cartridge housing;
- a developer roller that outputs developer from the cartridge housing;
- a developer electrode electrically connected to the developer roller, wherein the developer electrode is movable with respect to the cartridge housing between a connection position for connecting to a power supply electrode for bias application and a retract position different from the connection position;
- and
- an electrode displacement mechanism configured to move the developer electrode from the retract position to the connection position in response to a driving force from an external source to the developer roller.
A process cartridge, comprising:
- a developer cartridge including:
- a developer cartridge housing,
- a developer roller configured to supply developer to an image carrier, and
- a developer electrode electrically connected to the developer roller, wherein the developer electrode is configured to be movable with respect to the developer cartridge housing between a connection position as connected to a power supply electrode for bias application and a retract position;
- and
- an image carrier cartridge, wherein the developer cartridge is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the image carrier cartridge, and wherein the image carrier cartridge includes the image carrier that is configured to receive developer from the developer roller,
- wherein the developer electrode in the connection position is farther away outward from the cartridge housing than in the retract position.
An image formation device, comprising:
- a mainbody;
- a developer cartridge configured to be is attachable to and detachable from the mainbody, wherein the developer cartridge includes:
- a cartridge housing;
- a developer roller configured to supply developer from the cartridge housing to an image carrier, and
- a developer electrode electrically connected to the developer roller, wherein the developer electrode is configured to be movable with respect to the cartridge housing between a connection position as connected to a power supply electrode provided with the mainbody for bias application when the developer cartridge is attached to the mainbody, and a retract position retracted from the connection position when the developer cartridge is not attached to the mainbody;
- a drive unit configured to apply a driving force to the developer roller;
- and
- a bias application unit electrically connected to the power supply electrode configured to apply a developer bias to the developer roller,
- wherein the developer electrode in the connection position is farther away outward from the cartridge housing than in the retract position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.