IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,242,220
Granted Patent B2
US 12,242,220 · App. 18/502,208 · Granted Mar 4, 2025

Image forming apparatus with a memory positioned on a drum frame

Inventors: Junichi Yokoi (Nagoya, JP); Nao Itabashi (Nagoya, JP)
Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
G03G21/1647G03G21/1671G03G21/1676
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,242,220
App. No.
18/502,208
Granted
Mar 4, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image forming apparatus including a main body casing, a drum cartridge, a developing cartridge, and an intermediate transfer belt. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a drum frame, and a first memory. The intermediate transfer belt is positioned above of the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the main body casing. The drum frame includes a first end and a second end being apart from the first end in an up-down direction. The photosensitive drum is positioned at the first end. The first memory is positioned at the second end.

Claims (12)

1. A drum cartridge removably insertable into a main body casing included in an image forming apparatus through a first opening of the main body casing in a first direction, the drum cartridge being for use with a developing cartridge removably insertable into the main body casing thorough the first opening in the first direction, the drum cartridge comprising:

a photosensitive drum rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction;

a drum frame rotatably supporting the photosensitive drum, the drum flame having:

a first end;

a second end apart from the first end in an up-down direction;

a lower end surface positioned at the second end;

a first drum outer surface; and

a second drum outer surface apart from the first drum outer surface in the first direction, the second drum outer surface being positioned farther from the first opening than the first drum outer surface in the first direction in a state where the drum cartridge is attached to the main body casing; and

a memory configured to store drum cartridge information, the memory being positioned at the lower end surface and positioned closer to the second drum outer surface than the first drum outer surface in the first direction.

2. The drum cartridge according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a drum coupling configured to receive a first drive force for rotating the photosensitive drum, the drum coupling being positioned at the second drum outer surface.

3. The drum cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein the drum coupling includes a first recessed portion.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2023
From: YOKOI, JUNICHI; ITABASHI, NAO
To: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 065464/0147 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2019-065282 · Mar 29, 2019 · national
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17686582 · Mar 4, 2022
Continuation 17176259 · Feb 16, 2021
Continuation 16788878 · Feb 12, 2020
Related Publication 20240142911A1 · May 2, 2024
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