The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 04, 2006
Filed:
Mar. 25, 2004
Kiyoshi Toizumi, Nara, JP;
Taisuke Kamimura, Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP;
Toshimitsu Gotoh, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Tsutomu Yoshimoto, Yamatotakada, JP;
Yasuhiro Takai, Sakurai, JP;
Kiyoshi Toizumi, Nara, JP;
Taisuke Kamimura, Kitakatsuragi-gun, JP;
Toshimitsu Gotoh, Yamatokoriyama, JP;
Tsutomu Yoshimoto, Yamatotakada, JP;
Yasuhiro Takai, Sakurai, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
Electron generating devices and LED arrays are arranged in a surrounding area of a photosensitive drum. The electron generating devices are located downstream of a cleaner and upstream of a developing unit with respect to a turning direction of the photosensitive drum with a specific gap between the electron generating devices and a surface of the photosensitive drum. The LED arrays are disposed against outer ends of the electron generating devices opposite to inner ends thereof facing the photosensitive drum. When activated by a driving circuit according to image information, individual LED elements of the LED arrays emit light, causing the electron generating devices to emit electrons in a pattern corresponding to the image information. The electrons emitted from the electron generating devices produce more electrons due to an electron avalanche phenomenon before reaching the photosensitive drum, eventually forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum.