Patent · US Expired

Cylindrical rotating member having a support mechanism exhibiting little unevenness in rotation, and image forming apparatus

US6011942A · kind A · utility

70Cited by
11References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 28, 1998
Grant dateJan 4, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 28, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G15/757
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

It is desirable if the lengthwise center axis of a cylindrical rotating member such as a photoreceptor drum is aligned exactly with the center axes of the support shafts. However, as it is impossible to eliminate manufacturing errors in components, it is unavoidable for there to be a slight angle of intersection between the center axis of the cylindrical rotating member and the center axes of the support shaft. Consequently, the object of the present invention is to provide a support mechanism for the cylindrical rotating member whereby the cylindrical rotating member exhibits little unevenness of rotation. When lengthwise axis of the cylindrical rotating member forms angle of intersection .alpha. with lengthwise axis of shaft, this angle .alpha. is absorbed by the slight space between shaft and pierced hole of a rotation transmission member, as well as by the gap between the rotation transmission member and bearing of the cylindrical rotating member, so that the center axis of the cylindrical rotating member is fixed in a set position, and the outer circumference of the cylindrical rotating member moves in a predetermined perfectly circular path.

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