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. 13, 2010
Filed:
Aug. 29, 2008
Akio Kosuge, Yokohama, JP;
Takaya Muraishi, Kawasaki, JP;
Takeshi Shintani, Kawasaki, JP;
Yasushi Akiba, Yokohama, JP;
Satoshi Hatori, Yokohama, JP;
Kaoru Yoshino, Tokyo, JP;
Akio Kosuge, Yokohama, JP;
Takaya Muraishi, Kawasaki, JP;
Takeshi Shintani, Kawasaki, JP;
Yasushi Akiba, Yokohama, JP;
Satoshi Hatori, Yokohama, JP;
Kaoru Yoshino, Tokyo, JP;
Ricoh Company Limited, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes multiple imaging units and a controller. The multiple imaging units each include a photoconductor, a charging device, a developing device, a retractable cleaner, and a cleaner retraction mechanism. The charging device charges the photoconductor for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image. The retractable cleaner cleans the charging device when in contact with the charging device. The cleaner retraction mechanism is configured to bring the retractable cleaner into contact with the charging device. The charging device and the photoconductor are installed and replaced in conjunction with each other. The controller calculates a photoconductor usage of each of the multiple imaging units, and individually controls the cleaner retraction mechanism in each of the multiple imaging units according to the calculated photoconductor usage.