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:
Mar. 21, 2017
Filed:
Mar. 08, 2016
Konica Minolta, Inc., Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, JP;
Yuusuke Mandai, Kyoto, JP;
Yasuyuki Inada, Toyohashi, JP;
Yu Mukobayashi, Nagoya, JP;
Shinichi Yoshimoto, Toyohashi, JP;
Junji Kanda, Toyota, JP;
Kanji Nakayama, Toyokawa, JP;
KONICA MINOLTA, INC., Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
There are provided a developing device including a developing roller to develop an image carrier by use of a two-component developer and a developing bias power source, and an image forming apparatus using the developing device. The developing device further includes a variable resistance unit provided on a bias apply path to apply a bias from the developing power source to the developing roller, and a resistance controller to control a resistance value of the variable resistance unit based on a charge amount signal indicating a toner's charge amount in a developer layer on the developing roller. The resistance controller provides a low mode to lower the resistance of the variable resistance unit and a high mode to enhance the resistance. The low mode is set if the toner charge amount is low, and the high mode is set if the toner charge amount is high.