Development bias connector with integral bearing support

Abstract

A bearing support for use in a process cartridge including a roll rotatably mounted to a housing is provided. The roll is used for transporting marking particles to a latent image to form a developed image. The bearing support supports the roll and provides an electrical path between the roll and a voltage source. The bearing support includes a body having a first feature for cooperation with the roll and a second feature for cooperation with the housing. At least one of the first feature and the second feature provides for rotatable motion between the housing and the roll. The bearing support further includes a third feature for providing an electrical path between the roll and the voltage source.

1. A bearing support for use in a process cartridge including a roll rotatably mounted to a housing, the roll for transporting marking particles to a latent image to form a developed image, said bearing support supporting the roll and providing an electrical path between the roll and a voltage source, said bearing support comprising a body including:
 a first feature for cooperation with the roll;  
 a second feature for cooperation with the housing, at least one of said first feature and said second feature providing for rotatable motion between the housing and the roll; and  
 a third feature for providing an electrical path between the roll and the voltage source, wherein said third feature is defined by an external face, said face providing an electrical path to the voltage source.  
 
     
     
       2. A bearing support according to  claim 1 , wherein said body comprises a generally cylindrical shape. 
     
     
       3. A bearing support according to  claim 2 , wherein said first feature is defined by a bore in said body, said body operably secured to the roll at said bore. 
     
     
       4. A bearing support according to  claim 1 , wherein said second feature is defined by an outer periphery of said body, said outer periphery fitted to the housing. 
     
     
       5. A bearing support according to  claim 1 , wherein said third feature is defined by an external face, said face providing an electrical path to the voltage source. 
     
     
       6. A bearing support according to  claim 1 , wherein said body comprises an electrically conductive plastic. 
     
     
       7. A bearing support according to  claim 1 , wherein said body comprises carbon fibers. 
     
     
       8. A process cartridge for use in a printing machine comprising , said process cartridge for applying marking particles to a latent image to form a developed image, said cartridge comprising:
 a housing;  
 a bearing support mounted to said housing;  
 a roll rotatably mounted to said bearing, said roll for transporting marking particles to the latent image to form the developed image and for receiving an electrical charge from a voltage source, said bearing support supporting the roll and providing an electrical path between the roll and the voltage source, said bearing support including a body having a first feature for cooperation with the roll, a second feature for cooperation with the housing, at least one of said first feature and said second feature providing for rotatable motion between the housing and the roll and a third feature for providing an electrical path between the roll and the voltage source, wherein said third feature is defined by an external face, said face providing an electrical path to the voltage source.  
 
     
     
       9. A cartridge according to  claim 8 , wherein said body comprises a generally cylindrical shape. 
     
     
       10. A cartridge according to  claim 8 , wherein said first feature is defined by a bore in said body, said body operably secured to the roll at said bore. 
     
     
       11. A cartridge according to  claim 8 , wherein said second feature is defined by an outer periphery of said body, said outer periphery fitted to the housing. 
     
     
       12. A cartridge according to  claim 8 , wherein said third feature is defined by an external face, said face providing an electrical path to the voltage source. 
     
     
       13. A cartridge according to  claim 8 , wherein said body comprises an electrically conductive plastic. 
     
     
       14. A cartridge according to  claim 8 , wherein said body comprises carbon fibers. 
     
     
       15. An electrophotographic printing machine of the type including a process cartridge for applying marking particles to a latent image to form a developed image, the process cartridge comprising:
 a housing;  
 a bearing support mounted to said housing;  
 a roll rotatably mounted to said bearing, said roll for transporting marking particles to the latent image to form the developed image and for receiving an electrical charge from a voltage source, said bearing support supporting the roll and providing an electrical path between the roll and the voltage source, said bearing support including a body having a first feature for cooperation with the roll, a second feature for cooperation with the housing, at least one of said first feature and said second feature providing for rotatable motion between the housing and the roll and a third feature for providing an electrical path between the roll and the voltage source, wherein said third feature is defined by an external face, said face providing an electrical path to the voltage source.  
 
     
     
       16. A printing machine according to  claim 15 , wherein said body comprises a generally cylindrical shape. 
     
     
       17. A printing machine according to  claim 16 , wherein said first feature is defined by a bore in said body, said body operably secured to the roll at said bore. 
     
     
       18. A printing machine according to  claim 15 , wherein said second feature is defined by an outer periphery of said body, said outer periphery fitted to the housing. 
     
     
       19. A printing machine according to  claim 15 , wherein said third feature is defined by an external face, said face providing an electrical path to the voltage source. 
     
     
       20. A printing machine according to  claim 15 , wherein said body comprises an electrically conductive plastic. 
     
     
       21. A printing machine according to  claim 15 , wherein said body comprises carbon fibers. 
     
     
       22. A bearing support for use in a process cartridge including a roll rotatably mounted to a housing, the roll for transporting marking particles to a latent image to form a developed image, said bearing support interfacing with the roll and providing an electrical path between the roll and a voltage source, said bearing support comprising a body including:
   a first feature for cooperation with the roll;        a second feature for cooperation with the housing, at least one of said first feature and said second feature providing for rotatable motion between the housing and the roll; and        a third feature for providing an electrical path between the roll and the voltage source, wherein said third feature includes a surface contactable from outside the housing.     
     
     
       23. A bearing support as recited in  claim 22 , wherein said surface extends in an axial direction away from the first and second features. 
     
     
       24. A bearing support assembly for use in a process cartridge including a roll rotatably mounted to a housing, the roll for transporting marking particles to a latent image to form a developed image, said bearing support assembly interfacing with the roll and providing an electrical path between the roll and a voltage source, said bearing support assembly comprising:
   a first surface that rotatably engages the roll and provides for rotatable motion between the housing and the roll;        a second surface that engages the housing; and        a conductive member that provides the electrical path between the voltage source and roll via the first and second surfaces, said conductive member extending at least partially through the housing.     
     
     
       25. A bearing support assembly for use in a process cartridge including a roll rotatably mounted to a housing, the roll for transporting marking particles to a latent image to form a developed image, said bearing support assembly interfacing with the roll and providing an electrical path between the roll and a voltage source, said bearing support assembly comprising:
   a body having a first feature that rotatably engages the roll and a second feature that engages the housing, such that the first feature provides for rotatable motion between the housing and the roll; and        a conductive member that provides an electrical path between the roll and the voltage source;        said conductive member extending a least partially through the housing.     
     
     
       26. A bearing support assembly for use in a process cartridge including a roll rotatably mounted to a housing, the roll for transporting marking particles to a latent image to form a developed image, said bearing support assembly interfacing with the roll and providing an electrical path between the roll and a voltage source, said bearing support assembly comprising:
   a first surface that rotatably engages the roll and provides for rotatable motion between the housing and the roll,        a second surface that engages the housing, and        a conductive assembly for providing an electrical path between the roll and the voltage source, said conductive assembly extending from inside the housing to at least partially through an opening in the housing and being contactable by the voltage source from outside the housing.     
     
     
       27. A bearing support for use in a process cartridge including a roll rotatably mounted to a housing, the roll for transporting marking particles to a latent image to form a developed image, said bearing support interfacing with the roll and providing an electrical path between the roll and a voltage source, said bearing support comprising:
   a first surface that rotatably engages the roll and provides for rotatable motion between the housing and the roll,        a second surface that engages the housing, and        a feature for providing the electrical path between the roll and the voltage source, the feature having a third surface for contact with the voltage source to provide part of the electrical path, said third surface being coaxial with said first surface.     
     
     
       28. A bearing support for use in a process cartridge including a roll rotatably mounted to a housing, the roll for transporting marking particles to a latent image to form a developed image, said bearing support interfacing with the roll and providing an electrical path between the roll and a voltage source, said bearing support comprising:
   a first surface that rotatably engages the roll and provides for rotatable motion between the housing and the roll,        a second surface that engages the housing, and        a feature for providing the electrical path between the roll and the voltage source, the feature having a third surface for contact with the voltage source to provide part of the electrical path, said third surface providing contact with the voltage source around the axis of the roll.