Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Daito Communication Apparatus Co., Ltd.

Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha

Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Naoki Yamazaki

Mayumi Takata

Hitoshi Kamura

Akira Ito

Hiroki Tamura

Norio Tsubokawa

Isao Morooka

Tetsuo Maeda

Toshiyuki Hanada

Akira Ueno

Syoiti Sugaya

Kazuhiko Harazaki

Akihiro Takeyama

In a diagnostic method for use in a diagnostic system capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus, information is obtained about print volume of an image forming apparatus for a certain period, the information being entered in the information processing apparatus by a user, a determination is made as to which of several image forming apparatus is to be recommended, based on the obtained information, and information is sent to the information processing apparatus via a communication line such that the recommendable image forming apparatus that has been determined is displayed in the information processing apparatus.

Diagnostic device, diagnostic system, diagnostic method, program and storage medium

A diagnostic system that effectively presents optimum products to the users by effectively using information about the use history of an image forming apparatus used by the users and other information specific to the image forming apparatus that may be stored in advance. The diagnostic system includes a management device that receives and manages management information including at least information of print volume of an image forming apparatus for a predetermined period, a determination device that determines an optimum image forming apparatus based on the information of print volume in the predetermined period managed by the management device, and a notification device that notifies information indicative of the optimum image forming apparatus determined by the determination device to an information processing apparatus that is capable of communication via a communication line.

Air-fuel ratio control method

A process cartridge removably mountable within an image forming apparatus, includes a frame, an image bearing body provided in the frame, a process device also provided in the frame and acting on the image bearing body, and an engagement portion. The engagement portion of the process cartridge is adapted to be engaged with a mounting portion of the image forming apparatus when the process cartridge is positioned at a predetermined mounting position, by utilizing a driving force from a drive source within the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus includes the mounting portion for mounting the removable process cartridge, a drive source for driving the process cartridge into mounted and dismounted positions, a mounting member for directing the process cartridge toward the mounting portion and a damper for dampening a shock received by the process cartridge. The image forming apparatus further includes a resilient pressing device for pressing against the mounted process cartridge so as to maintain the cartridge in a predetermined processing position. Mounting and dismounting of the process cartridge with respect to the image forming system can be effected automatically.

Image forming apparatus having process cartridge which is automatically

A method for making a PTC element grafts a crystalline polymer to conductive particles to form a PTC composition. The step of grafting including solution polymerization. The PTC composition is formed into a PTC element. The PTC element is cross-linked after forming. The PTC element according to this invention exhibits superior PTC behavior when the temperature of the PTC element reaches the crystal melting point of the crystalline polymer.

PTC composition and manufacturing method therefor

A PTC device has two electrodes affixed to opposed surfaces. The electrodes consist of a metal foil having a conductive layer on their surfaces that contact the PTC material. The conductive layer has a thermal coefficient of expansion intermediate between the thermal coefficients of expansion of the metal foil and the PTC material. The intermediate value of the thermal coefficient of expansion of the conductive layer prevents peeling of the electrodes off the PTC element due to the variation of the temperature of the PTC device resulting from repeated voltage applications. In addition, improved adhesion of the electrodes to the PTC material reduces resistance changes after repeated temperature cycling.

PTC device

A self-recovery PTC device for overcurrent protection of electrical circuits is made with a polymer/metal powder composition electrode that displays stable resistivity over a broad range of contact forces. Secure bonding of electrodes to a PTC element is achieved because both components are polymer composites, eliminating the problems associated with attempts to bond metal electrodes to a polymer PTC element. Swelling of metal electrodes, that results from outgassing by a PTC element, is also eliminated, because polymer electrodes are gas permeable.

A product having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance is formed by etching a carbon black at an elevated temperature to remove less crystalline portions and thereby to increase the specific surface area of the carbon black. The resulting carbon black is called porous carbon black. The porous carbon black is blended with a crystalline polymer to form a product having the desired positive temperature coefficient of resistance. Production of a material suitable for use as a resettable fuse is described.

Growing community of inventors

Tokyo, Japan

Naoki Yamazaki