Patent · US Expired

Image forming apparatus

US5255059A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
2References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 13, 1992
Grant dateOct 19, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 13, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G15/0921
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An image forming apparatus having a developing device which includes a developing roller. A developer or a toner is transported on and along the developing roller without the roller being rotated. The developing roller has a shaft and ultrasonic transport members provided on the shaft. The ultrasonic transport members are made up of a plurality of electrodes, a piezoelectric member surrounding the electrodes and made of, for example, piezoelectric ceramic, and an elastic member surrounding the piezoelectric member and made of, for example, copper alloy or similar alloy. A plurality of standing waves are caused to flow through the electrodes with the result that the piezoelectric member waves. The toner is transported on the waving surface of the elastic member.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.