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:
Jan. 15, 2008
Filed:
Jul. 06, 2005
Yohichi Takesawa, Osaka, JP;
Shigeki Hayashi, Nara, JP;
Eiichi Kido, Nara, JP;
Toshio Nishino, Nara, JP;
Yohichi Takesawa, Osaka, JP;
Shigeki Hayashi, Nara, JP;
Eiichi Kido, Nara, JP;
Toshio Nishino, Nara, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A development apparatus includes an auger conveyor member for stirring and conveying developer, the gravity of the developer being eccentrically distributed with respect to a center of rotation, a drive transfer member for driving and rotating the auger conveyor member, the drive transfer member being capable of being engaged and disengaged, and a rotation detector for detecting a rotational state of the auger conveyor member. The remaining amount of the developer is detected based on the rotational state detected by the rotation detector. Alternatively, a development apparatus includes the auger conveyor member and the drive transfer member, in which the eccentric gravity distribution is achieved by a rod-like weight member eccentrically provided with respect to a rotational axis, the auger conveyor member includes a first coil spring having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the weight member, and the first coil spring is inserted around the weight member in a manner which allows the first coil spring to be rotated and limits an angle of rotation of the first coil spring to a predetermined angle. Alternatively, a development apparatus includes the auger conveyor member and the drive transfer member, in which the auger conveyor member is provided near a development supply roller, and a uniforming member for making the developer uniform is provided in a space portion between the development supply roller and the auger conveyor member.