Patent ID: 6470158
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A photosensitive drum for an image forming apparatus comprising:(a) a tubular photosensitive member having: (i) an outer photosensitive surface; and (ii) an inner surface defining an inner diameter of said tubular photosensitive member; (b) a noise prevention device comprising an elastic member disposed inside of said tubular photosensitive member, said elastic member having an outer surface which includes a first outermost diameter and a second smaller diameter, wherein said second smaller diameter is smaller than said first outermost diameter, and wherein, in a relaxed state, said first outermost diameter is larger than said inner diameter of said tubular photosensitive member, said elastic member configured such that said first outermost diameter of said elastic member may be elastically reduced to a diameter less than said inner diameter of said tubular photosensitive member; and (c) wherein said elastic member comprises a plurality of projections such that said first outermost diameter is a diameter of said elastic member measured to tops of said projections and said second smaller diameter is a diameter of said elastic member measured at a location between said projections, and further wherein said projections include a plurality of protrusions each having a first dimension in a circumferential direction of said elastic member and a second dimension in a lengthwise direction of said elastic member, wherein said first dimension is smaller than a circumference of said elastic member such that said protrusions do not extend completely around said circumference and a plurality of said protrusions are provided at different circumferential locations about said elastic member, and wherein said second dimension is smaller than a length of said elastic member and a plurality of said protrusions are provided at different lengthwise locations along said elastic member.