# US 8,543,039 B2 · Image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,543,039 B2 - Document ID: US8543039B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/979,765 - Filed: 2010-12-28 - Published: 2011-07-07 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2010-01-07 - Assignees: Oki Data Corporation - Applicants: Akihito Onishi - Inventors: Akihito Onishi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8543039B2 ## CPC - G03G 15/0121: {for developing} - G03G 15/0808: {characterised by the developer supplying means, e.g. structure of developer supply roller} - G03G 2215/0141: the linear arrangement being horizontal - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming portion for forming a developer image, said first image forming portion including a first image supporting member for forming a static latent image and a first developing member for attaching developer to the static latent image; a second image forming portion for forming a developer image, said second image forming portion including a second image supporting member for forming a static latent image and a second developing member for attaching developer to the static latent image; a transfer portion for transferring the developer image to a printing medium; and a fixing unit for fixing the developer image to the printing medium. The second developing member has a surface roughness greater than that of the first developing member. The fixing unit is disposed at a position closer to the first image forming portion relative to the second image forming portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: a first image forming portion for forming a developer image, said first image forming portion including a first image supporting member for forming a static latent image and a first developing member for attaching developer to the static latent image; a second image forming portion for forming a developer image, said second image forming portion including a second image supporting member for forming a static latent image and a second developing member for attaching developer to the static latent image; a transfer portion for transferring the developer image to a printing medium; and a fixing unit for fixing the developer image to the printing medium, said fixing unit being disposed at a position closer to the first image forming portion relative to the second image forming portion, wherein said first developing member has a surface roughness smaller than that of the second developing member, and said first image forming portion is disposed at an upstream side of the fixing unit and at a downstream side of the second image forming portion in a transportation direction of the printing medium. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second image forming portion is disposed at a farthest position from the fixing unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first developing member and said second developing member are arranged to attach toner as the developer in a range between 0.3 mg/cm2 and 0.8 mg/cm2. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first developing member is arranged to attach the developer at a first surface temperature greater than a specific level, and said second developing member is arranged to attach the developer at a second surface temperature smaller than the specific level. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first developing member is arranged to attach the developer in yellow. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first developing member and said second developing member are formed of a first developing roller and a second developing roller, respectively. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first developing member is formed of a first conductive shaft and a first conductive elastic member, and said second developing member is formed of a second conductive shaft and a second conductive elastic member. ### Claim 8 An image forming apparatus comprising: a first image forming portion for forming a developer image, said first image forming portion including a first image supporting member for forming a static latent image and a first developing member for attaching developer to the static latent image; a second image forming portion for forming a developer image, said second image forming portion including a second image supporting member for forming a static latent image and a second developing member for attaching developer to the static latent image; a transfer portion for transferring the developer image to a printing medium; and a fixing unit for fixing the developer image to the printing medium, said fixing unit being disposed at a, position closer to the first image forming portion relative to the second image forming portion, wherein said first developing member has a hardness smaller than that of the second developing member, and said first image forming portion is disposed at an upstream side of the fixing unit and at a downstream side of the second image forming portion in a transportation direction of the printing medium. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first developing member and said second developing member are arranged to attach toner as the developer in a range between 0.3 mg/cm2 and 0.8 mg/cm2. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first developing member is arranged to attach the developer at a first surface temperature greater than a specific level, and said second developing member is arranged to attach the developer at a second surface temperature smaller than the specific level. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first developing member is arranged to attach the developer in yellow. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first developing member and said second developing member are formed of a first developing roller and a second developing roller, respectively. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first developing member is formed of a first conductive shaft and a first conductive elastic member, and said second developing member is formed of a second conductive shaft and a second conductive elastic member.