IP Library Granted Patent US 7,925,193
Granted Patent B2
US 7,925,193 · App. 12/232,301 · Granted Apr 12, 2011

Rotary member, developing device, and image forming apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,925,193
App. No.
12/232,301
Granted
Apr 12, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A rotary member includes a rotating main body, and support members that are formed to be supported by bearings. Each of the support members includes a spindle core formed of a first metal, and a cylindrical sheath that sheathes a portion of the spindle core where slidably contacting respective one of the bearings and that is formed of a second metal different from the first metal.

Claims (29)

1. A rotary member comprising:

a rotating main body; and

support members, which are attached to ends of the rotating main body, and are formed to be supported by bearings,

wherein each of the support members comprises:

a spindle core formed of a first metal; and

a cylindrical sheath that sheathes a portion of the spindle core where slidably contacting respective one of the bearings and that is formed of a second metal different from the first metal, and

wherein the cylindrical sheath includes an idling prevention portion contacting the spindle core and formed to prevent the cylindrical sheath from idling with respect to the spindle core, the idling prevention portion including an area in which the cylindrical sheath comprises a non-uniform inner diameter.

2. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical sheath has Vickers hardness three times or greater than a Vickers hardness of the bearings.

3. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein the second metal has Vickers hardness Hv equal to or greater than 150, and

wherein the first metal has Vickers hardness Hv lower than 150.

4. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein the second metal includes a stainless steel, and

wherein the first metal includes an aluminum alloy.

5. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein the support members comprise forged support members.

6. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating main body includes a developing roller that is disposed opposite to a photosensitive element and that contacts the photosensitive element in a rotating state, thereby holding and supplying a toner to the photosensitive element.

7. A developing device comprising the rotary member according to claim 6 .

8. An image forming apparatus comprising the developing device according to claim 7 .

9. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein the idling prevention portion includes a non-circular shape formed on an inner surface of the cylindrical sheath.

10. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein the idling prevention portion includes a cutout on an end portion of the cylindrical sheath.

11. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of a portion of the spindle core abutting the cylindrical sheath is greater than an inner diameter of the cylindrical sheath.

12. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein the idling prevention portion includes a toothed-shape formed on an inner surface of the cylindrical sheath.

13. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating main body comprises a same metal as the first metal.

14. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the rotating main body which joins with the support members comprises a same metal as the first metal.

15. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein the support members are inserted into the ends of the rotating main body.

16. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein the spindle core is forged to be narrower than a certain thickness,

wherein the cylindrical sheath is disposed on the narrowed spindle core, and

wherein spindle core on which the cylindrical sheath is disposed is again forged.

17. The rotary member according to claim 1 , wherein the spindle core includes a flange forged to be narrower than a certain thickness,

wherein the cylindrical sheath includes a flange sleeve that is disposed on the narrowed flange, and

wherein flange on which the flange sleeve is disposed is again forged.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2009
From: RICOH PRINTING SYSTEMS, LTD.
To: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
Reel/Frame 022191/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 15, 2008
From: OOMORI, KOUICHI; MIKAMI, KATSUMASA; KUMADA, KATSUMI; SUZUKI, YUICHIRO; TOYODA, MINORU; OMORI, YOSHITAKA
To: RICOH PRINTING SYSTEMS, LTD.
Reel/Frame 021609/0410 →