IP Library Granted Patent US 8,781,354
Granted Patent B2
US 8,781,354 · App. 12/868,395 · Granted Jul 15, 2014

Image-forming apparatus

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,781,354
App. No.
12/868,395
Granted
Jul 15, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image-forming apparatus includes: an apparatus main body; a unit part that includes an electronic component and that can be installed in the apparatus main body by being guided in a first predetermined direction; a unit-side electrode that is provided to the unit part to be connected electrically with the electronic component; a main body-side electrode that is provided to the apparatus main body and is connected electrically with the unit-side electrode when the unit part is installed in the apparatus main body; and a ground electrode that is provided to the apparatus main body and is connected electrically with a ground, the ground electrode being disposed at a position upstream of the main body-side electrode with respect to the first predetermined direction.

Claims (46)

1. An image-forming apparatus comprising:

an apparatus main body;

a unit part that includes an electronic component and that can be installed in the apparatus main body by being guided in a first predetermined direction;

a unit-side electrode that is provided to the unit part to be connected electrically with the electronic component;

a main body-side electrode that is provided to the apparatus main body and is connected electrically with the unit-side electrode when the unit part is installed in the apparatus main body, wherein the main body-side electrode includes a terminal that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the first predetermined direction;

a projecting part that is present adjacent to the main body-side electrode, wherein the projecting part is at least as long as the main-body side electrode in the first predetermined direction and extends beyond a top part of the main body-side electrode, and a width of the projecting part is larger than a width of the main body-side electrode in a direction perpendicular to the first predetermined direction; and

a ground electrode that is provided to the apparatus main body and is connected electrically with a ground, wherein a width of the ground electrode is smaller than a width of the terminal in the direction perpendicular to the first predetermined direction,

the ground electrode being disposed at a position upstream of the main body-side electrode with respect to the first predetermined direction.

2. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the main body-side electrode includes a plurality of terminals, and

the ground electrode has a length greater than a total length of the plurality of terminals in a direction perpendicular to the first predetermined direction.

3. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the unit part includes an image-forming unit that forms an image, and

the electronic component of the unit part is a memory that stores information indicating a state of use of the image-forming unit.

4. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 2 ,

wherein the unit part includes an image-forming unit that forms an image, and

the electronic component of the unit part is a memory that stores information indicating a state of use of the image-forming unit.

5. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the ground electrode is located at such a position that when a fingertip of a user approaches the main body-side electrode, a distance between the fingertip and the ground electrode is less than that between the fingertip and the main body-side electrode.

6. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 2 ,

wherein the ground electrode is located at such a position that when a fingertip of a user approaches the main body-side electrode, a distance between the fingertip and the ground electrode is less than that between the fingertip and the main body-side electrode.

7. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 3 ,

wherein the ground electrode is located at such a position that when a fingertip of a user approaches the main body-side electrode, a distance between the fingertip and the ground electrode is less than that between the fingertip and the main body-side electrode.

8. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 4 ,

wherein the ground electrode is located at such a position that when a fingertip of a user approaches the main body-side electrode, a distance between the fingertip and the ground electrode is less than that between the fingertip and the main body-side electrode.

9. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the grounded electrode comprises a bent wire-shaped member.

10. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 9 ,

wherein the bent wire-shaped member has an L-shape comprising a horizontal section, a vertical section and a bent section formed by bending an end part of the vertical section.

11. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 10 ,

wherein the bent section extends in a direction toward an inside of the apparatus main body.

12. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a developer unit in contact with the unit part.

13. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the projecting part engages with the unit part.

14. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the projecting part is longer than the main body-side electrode in the first predetermined direction.

15. The image-forming apparatus of claim 1 , having a plurality of main body-side electrodes, a plurality of ground electrodes and a plurality of projecting parts, wherein each of the plurality of ground electrodes is disposed at a position upstream with respect to the first predetermined direction of a respective one of the plurality of main body-side electrodes, and each of the plurality of projecting parts is disposed adjacent to a respective one of the plurality of main body-side electrodes.

16. An image-forming apparatus comprising:

an apparatus main body;

a unit part that includes an electronic component and that can be installed in the apparatus main body by being guided in a first predetermined direction by the guiding plate;

a main body-side electrode that is provided on the apparatus main body to be connected electrically with the electronic component, wherein the main body-side electrode is provided on one surface of the guiding plate;

a unit-side electrode that is provided on the unit part and is connected electrically with the main body-side electrode when the unit part is installed in the apparatus main body; and

a ground electrode that is provided on the apparatus main body and is connected electrically with a ground, being disposed at a position upstream of the main body-side electrode with respect to the first predetermined direction, wherein the ground electrode is present on a surface of the guiding plate opposite to the surface of the guiding plate on which the main body-side electrode is provided, and

wherein the ground electrode comprises a bent wire-shaped member.

17. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the wire-shaped member is bent in an L-shape.

18. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the L-shape comprising a horizontal section, a vertical section and a bent section formed by bending an end part of the vertical section.

19. The image-forming apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the projecting part extends beyond a bottom part of the main body-side electrode.

20. The image-forming apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of ground electrodes are connected electrically with a common grounding member.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 12, 2021
From: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
To: FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP.
Reel/Frame 058287/0056 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2010
From: IIKURA, KAZUAKI
To: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 024888/0742 →