Charging member, process cartridge including the same, and image forming apparatus including the same
US7555243B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/025
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A charging member, which can be provided in a process cartridge and/or in an image forming apparatus, includes a conductive supporting member, an electrical resistance control layer formed on an outer circumferential surface of the conductive supporting member, and a nonconductive gap retaining member configured to retain a gap between the conductive supporting member and an image carrying member closely disposed to each other to have a constant distance. At least a portion of the nonconductive gap retaining member is mounted on the electrical resistance control layer at both ends of the conductive supporting member, and a circumference of the nonconductive gap retaining member projects from the electrical resistance control layer. An amount of projection of the gap retaining member from the electrical resistance control layer decreases as the gap retaining member tapers in a direction toward a center of an image formation region.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.