Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080240780 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes: a main body; an opening and closing unit disposed so as to be openable and closable for the main body; a fixing unit fixing the opening and closing unit to the main body; a structure including a component for realizing an image forming function and/or a transfer medium-conveying function, the structure being supported movably for the main body; a bias unit disposed between the opening and closing unit and the structure, the bias unit biasing the structure so as to be pushed to a member mounted within the main body; a constraining unit constraining the opening and closing unit and the structure against a bias force of the biasing unit when the fixing unit does not fix the opening and closing unit; and a releasing unit releasing the opening and closing unit and the structure from being constrained when the fixing unit fixes the opening and closing unit. | 10-02-2008 |
20080260423 | Intermediate transfer unit-mounting and dismounting mechanism and intermediate transfer unit-mounting and dismounting method - An intermediate transfer unit mounting and dismounting mechanism for an image forming apparatus including a transfer belt unit that is provided as a separate structure from the apparatus body and can be mounted to and dismounted from the apparatus body, includes: a coupling/decoupling manipulator disposed at the coupling portion between the intermediate transfer unit and the apparatus body for coupling/decoupling. The coupling/decoupling manipulator includes a threaded portion to fasten the intermediate transfer unit and the apparatus body and a drive gear for transferring driving force for conveying the intermediate transfer belt. While the threaded portion is rotated to release the fastening between the transfer belt unit and the housing, the transfer belt is conveyed by the drive gear that rotates in linkage with the rotation of the threaded portion. | 10-23-2008 |
20080260424 | TRANSFER BELT UNIT FOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In the transfer belt unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, rotation of a rear-side detection roller or a front-side detection roller rotated in contact with ribs of a transfer belt is transmitted to a steering roller via a lead screw to tilt the steering roller and control meandering of the transfer belt. | 10-23-2008 |
20080279587 | DIGITAL MULTI-COLOR PRINTING MACHINE - A printing unit for a digital multi-color printing machine, in particular for an electrophotographically operating, preferably sheet-printing printing machine, said printing unit comprising at least one transfer element ( | 11-13-2008 |
20090003877 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a toner image on an image bearing member, an endless belt configured to transfer and carry the toner image thereon, a transfer unit configured to transfer the toner image carried by the endless belt onto a recording sheet, a sensing unit configured to sense the toner image transferred onto the endless belt, a blocking unit mounted between the sensing unit and the endless belt and configured to block the sensing unit, a contact and separation unit configured to cause the transfer unit to reciprocally contact and separate from the endless belt. With this configuration, the blocking unit and the contact and separation unit are configured to be driven by an identical drive source. | 01-01-2009 |
20090022514 | Image forming apparatus - An image forming apparatus includes a cover and a supporting unit. The supporting unit includes a holding member, a supporting member, a first biasing unit, and a positioning unit. The holding member holds the transferring member. The supporting member movably supports the holding member, so that the transferring member can move toward or away from a specific member arranged in the main body. The first biasing unit biases the transferring member toward the specific member. When the cover is in a closed state, the transferring member is pressed against the specific member. The positioning unit performs positioning of the supporting member with respect to the main body. | 01-22-2009 |
20090067881 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, TRANSFER UNIT THEREOF, AND METHOD OF SHIFTING TRANSFER ROLLERS THEREOF - An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a first photoconductive member used during monochrome printing; a plurality of second photoconductive members used together with the first photoconductive member during full-color printing and arranged in parallel to the first photoconductive member; a transfer belt that forms a loop-like moving path; a first transfer roller and a plurality of second transfer rollers provided on an inner peripheral side of the transfer belt; and a link member that shifts, during the full-color printing, the second transfer rollers to positions where the second transfer rollers are brought into press contact with the respective second photoconductive members via the transfer belt and shifts, during the monochrome printing, the second transfer rollers to positions where respective separations between an inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt and the respective second transfer rollers are substantially identical. | 03-12-2009 |
20090110435 | BELT INSTALLATION TOOL - A tool for installation of intermediate belts by a customer includes a lightweight frame structure that is collapsible for handling and ease of belt loading onto the tool itself. The frame structure includes linkage such that when a handle connected to the frame structure is rotated; the framework will expand into the hanging belt and force the belt to take the shape of an intermediate belt transfer module profile. The intermediate transfer belt is then slid onto rollers of the intermediate belt transfer module. | 04-30-2009 |
20090110436 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a rotatable belt member configured to contact the image bearing member, a belt unit configured to support the belt member and removably mounted on the image forming apparatus, an operation unit disposed on the belt unit, a belt unit moving mechanism configured to cause the belt member to contact the image bearing member when the operation unit is in a first position and to cause the belt member to separate from the image bearing member when the operation unit is in a second position, and a tensile force releasing mechanism configured to release a tensile force applied to the belt member when the belt unit is pulled out from the image forming apparatus and the operation unit is in a third position. | 04-30-2009 |
20090123178 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus body including: an image forming unit that forms toner images having the colors being different from each other; a intermediate transfer body that has a belt-shape, and that is arranged in an upper portion of the image forming unit being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the toner images being transferred onto the intermediate transfer body; an intermediate transfer body unit that detachably holds the intermediate transfer body with respect to the apparatus body; and a guide rail member that detachably guides the intermediate transfer body unit in a direction of one side of the apparatus body, and that is set so that the direction, in which the intermediate transfer body unit is guided, is changed in the middle of guiding. | 05-14-2009 |
20090129814 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an enclosure including a first opening provided at a front side thereof, a second opening provided at a left side thereof, and a third opening provided at a right side thereof. The enclosure further includes an image bearing member to bear a latent image on the surface thereof; an image forming unit including the image bearing member and detachably mountable from the first opening; an exposure unit to expose the image bearing member to form the latent image on the surface of the image bearing member and detachably mountable from either the second or the third opening that is opposite the opening from which an intermediate transfer unit is detachably mountable; the intermediate transfer unit to transfer the toner image and detachably mountable from either the second or the third opening that is opposite the opening from which the exposure unit is detachably mountable. | 05-21-2009 |
20090129815 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a coupling arm that moves, when a releasing handle is pulled up, in association with the movement of the release handle and separates a secondary transfer roller from a secondary-transfer-roller positioning member. The image forming apparatus includes a pivoting arm having a push-down spatula that moves, when the release handle is pulled up, in association with the movement of the release handle and separates the secondary transfer roller from the secondary-transfer-roller positioning member. The coupling arm or the pivoting arm transmits force applied to the release handle to the secondary transfer roller using leverage to thereby separate the secondary transfer roller from the secondary-transfer-roller positioning member and release the secondary transfer roller. | 05-21-2009 |
20090142097 | Toner Transfer Systems With An Adjustable Transfer Belt For Use In An Image Forming Device - The present application is directed to toner transfer systems with an adjustable transfer belt. The transfer belt transfers toner images from a first location to a second location. Two or more support rolls position and drive the transfer belt. A tensioning device is operatively connected to one of the support rolls. The tensioning device moves the support roll between a first position that places a first amount of tension on the belt, and a second position that places a lesser second amount of tension on the belt. The support roll is in the first position during image formation, and in the second position during non-image formation such as storage and shipping. | 06-04-2009 |
20090154957 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A transfer unit has a belt unit having a belt and a cleaning unit for cleaning the belt. The belt unit and the cleaning unit are integratedly provided. The cleaning unit is movable for the belt unit. The transfer unit is detachable for an apparatus main body. A position of the cleaning unit for the belt unit before the transfer unit is attached to the apparatus main body is different from a position of the cleaning unit for the belt unit after the transfer unit is attached to the apparatus main body. | 06-18-2009 |
20090196651 | TRANSFER APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A transfer apparatus of the invention includes a primary transfer unit, and a secondary transfer unit that includes a transfer roller having a bearing and being capable of contacting with and separating from the primary transfer unit, the primary transfer unit includes a guide member receiving the bearing at a position opposite to the bearing, and the guide member has a protrusion on a surface with which the bearing contacts when the transfer roller contacts with and separates from the primary transfer unit. | 08-06-2009 |
20090245864 | PRESSING MECHANISM, TRANSFER DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A pressing mechanism that presses a contact unit, which is brought into contact with a contact target unit against the contact target unit, includes a holding unit that holds the contact unit. The holding unit includes two first portions that are arranged at both ends of the holding unit in its width direction away from the contact unit and are biased toward the contact target unit and a second portion that is arranged at approximately a center in the width direction sandwiching the contact unit with the first portions and supports the holing unit. | 10-01-2009 |
20090263157 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING TENSION-PROVIDING MECHANISM FOR BELT - To enable not only releasing pressurization by a pressurization mechanism for pressurizing a belt thereby preventing a deformation therein but also easily and securely releasing the pressurization mechanism held in the pressure release state, thereby facilitating the installation operation of an apparatus. A pressurization mechanism for pressurizing a belt is in a released state prior to the use of the main body of the apparatus. Prior to the initial use of the main body, the pressurization of the pressurizing mechanism for the belt is exerted in linkage with a user operation of placing a recording material in a feed tray. | 10-22-2009 |
20090279918 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDED WITH TRANSFER AND SEPARATION DEVICE - An image forming apparatus having: a drum-shaped image carrier; a transfer and separation device which comprises: a conveyor belt for conveying a transfer material; a transfer roller for supporting the conveyor belt; and a nip regulating roller that is disposed downstream of the transfer roller in a conveyance direction of the transfer material; and a transfer region changing section adapted to change a downstream end of the transfer region in a conveyance direction of the transfer material by changing a position of the nip regulating roller; wherein the transfer region changing section sets the nip regulating roller, at a first position at which the conveyor belt is supported such that a direction of separation of the conveyor belt from the image carrier at the downstream end of the transfer region coincides with a tangential direction with respect to the image carrier, or at a second position. | 11-12-2009 |
20100003051 | TRANSFER UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A turnable transfer unit, including a transfer member forming a transfer nip while contacting an image bearer installed in an image forming apparatus; and a pressurizer pressurizing the transfer member to the image bearer, wherein the turnable transfer unit further includes a turnable lever member, including an engaging part engaging with a positioning part of the image forming apparatus; and a contact part contacting an opening and closing body openable and closable in the image forming apparatus, wherein the lever member turns in conjunction with a closing operation of the opening and closing body to position the transfer unit in the image forming apparatus. | 01-07-2010 |
20100067948 | System And Method For Measuring Media Thickness With A Transfer Subsystem In A Printer - A printer and method have been developed that enable a controller in a printer to compute a thickness of an image substrate. The printer includes an intermediate imaging member, a transfer roller located proximate to the intermediate imaging member, a displaceable linkage coupled to the transfer roller to move the transfer roller from a first position to a position in which the transfer roller forms a transfer nip with the intermediate imaging member and to return the transfer roller to the start position, and a controller coupled to the displaceable linkage, the controller being configured to measure movement of the transfer roller from the first position to the position where the transfer nip is formed, and to compute a media thickness from a measured movement of the transfer roller from the first position to the position where the transfer nip is formed with the intermediate imaging member without an image substrate being in the transfer nip and a measured movement of the transfer roller from the first position to the position where the transfer nip is formed with an image substrate in the transfer nip between the transfer roller and the intermediate imaging member. | 03-18-2010 |
20100080625 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED HOUSING PANEL STRUCTURAL STRENGTH - In an image forming apparatus, a moving member is provided with a first engagement member. A lever is provided with a second engagement member to engage and disengage the first engagement member provided in the moving member. The lever moves between a predetermined first position and a second position different from the first position to move the moving member in such a manner that when the lever is at the first position, a transfer member reaches a contact position at which the transfer member is pressed against an image carrier via a belt, and when the lever is at the second position, the transfer member reaches a separation position at which the transfer member separates from the image carrier. | 04-01-2010 |
20100129114 | DISTRIBUTED BELT MODULE FOR A MODULAR PRINTING SYSTEM - This invention relates to a system for support, operation, installation, and removal of an endless belt in a scalable modular printing system. The printing system comprises an input module, at least one marking module, and an output module. The endless belt can be an intermediate transfer belt, a photoconductive belt, or a sheet transport belt used in the marking system. All rollers supporting the interior surface of the belt are supported by their respective module frame structures, thus the interior cavity of the belt is largely vacant. A method of belt installation is described, comprising drawing all interior rollers out of their frame structures, placing the pre-scrolled belt at one end module of the system, uncoiling the belt along its process direction within the internal cavity of the system, then reinstalling the interior rollers to capture the belt into its operating position. From 1 to 8 marking modules can be used, each having a space through which the belt travels during installation; i.e. from the input module to the output module or from the output module to the input module. | 05-27-2010 |
20100142997 | TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A transfer device is provided and includes: a rotatable transfer roller; and a controller controls a balance of a pressure contact force exerted on the transfer roller in the axial direction, the controller including: a bearing member; a movable holding section that holds the bearing member; and a stationary holding section that holds the movable holding section. The movable holding section and the stationary holding section oppose each other by way of opposed surfaces, an adjustment unit is inserted into one of the opposed surfaces, and the movable holding section and the stationary holding section are arranged in such a manner that an extremity of the adjustment unit contacts the other of the opposed surfaces. | 06-10-2010 |
20100150607 | INTERMEDIATE TRANSFER UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - An intermediate transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer belt that is configured to be rotated; a belt support that supports the intermediate transfer belt; a housing that receives the belt support on which the intermediate transfer belt is mounted; and a belt protecting member that is provided on the belt support and is urged by elastic member so as to cover edge of the intermediate transfer belt in a width direction thereof, wherein the belt support is formed to be swingable with respect to the housing, end of the belt protecting members is positioned so as to cover the edge of the intermediate transfer belt in the width direction while the belt support is received in the housing, and the end of the belt protecting member is withdrawn to an outside of the belt support while the belt support is swung with respect to the housing. | 06-17-2010 |
20100158566 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND TRANSFER DEVICE THEREOF - An image forming apparatus and a transfer device disclosed herein are configured to move positions of transfer rollers to perform different modes of printing operation, such as black-and-white and color printing. The image forming apparatus may include a plurality of photosensitive bodies, on each of which an image may be formed, and a plurality of transfer units. Each transfer unit includes a transfer roller arranged to correspond to an associated one of the photosensitive bodies and an elastic member configured to press the transfer roller to the corresponding photosensitive body. The image forming apparatus further includes a slider configured to move along a linear direction. The slider is configured to cause at least one of the transfer rollers of the transfer units move away from the corresponding photosensitive body. The slider may be driven by a drive unit. | 06-24-2010 |
20100178077 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND OPENING/CLOSING METHOD OF RE-CONVEYANCE MECHANISM - An ADU is turned around a first hole section that operates as fulcrum and opened by a first angle relative to the lateral side of an apparatus main body when dissolving a jam. The lateral side cover is temporarily taken away from a stationary side plate when maintenance the inside of a color copying machine. Then, a second engaging pin is put into a second hole section to engage the lateral side cover with the stationary side plate. The ADU is turned around the second hole section that operates as fulcrum and opened by a second angle greater than the first angle. | 07-15-2010 |
20100189465 | TRANSFER BELT UNIT AND METHOD FOR HOLDING THE SAME - A transfer belt unit which is mounted in an image forming device. The transfer belt unit contains a positioning member, a handle, and a guiding member. The positioning member positions the transfer belt unit with respect to the image forming device in a state where the transfer belt unit is inserted into a guide unit. The handle is placed on the rear side of the positioning member in a direction of inserting the transfer belt unit into the guide unit. The guiding member holds the transfer belt unit when the transfer belt unit is inserted into the guide unit by abutting on a guide surface of the guide unit together with the positioning member before the handle is inserted into the guide unit. | 07-29-2010 |
20100221039 | COLOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes cartridge mounting portions for dismountably mounting cartridges; an intermediary transfer member onto which developed images formed on electrophotographic photosensitive drums are transferred, the intermediary transfer member being provided opposed to the drums; an image forming unit comprising the cartridge mounting portions and the intermediary transfer member, the unit being movable between a transfer position for transferring, onto a sheet, the developed images transferred onto the intermediary transfer member from drums, a cartridge mounting and dismounting position for mounting and dismounting the cartridges relative to the cartridge mounting portions, and an intermediary transfer member mounting and dismounting position for mounting and dismounting the intermediary transfer member relative to a main assembly; and a unit movement preventing means for permitting the unit to move the intermediary transfer member mounting and dismounting position when no cartridge is mounted to any of the cartridge mounting portions, and for preventing the unit from moving to the intermediary transfer member mounting and dismounting position when the cartridge is mounted to at least one of the cartridge mounting portions. | 09-02-2010 |
20100247144 | INTERMEDIATE TRANSFER DEVICE, TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An intermediate transfer device includes an endless-belt-form intermediate transfer material; a first moving that is movable between a first position- | 09-30-2010 |
20100247145 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND SPACER FOR USE THEREIN - A spacer configured to minimize movement of a transfer unit (for example, a belt unit) is described. An apparatus may include a main body and a transfer unit disposed in the main body. The spacer may include various contact portions that contact a portion of the transfer unit and a portion of the main body to minimize relative movement of the transfer unit. | 09-30-2010 |
20100278556 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a medium conveyance unit; an image recording unit; and recording unit support portions. The image recording unit is supported by the medium conveyance unit in an undetachable manner for a user who uses the medium. The recording unit support portions has a first support portion and a second support portion which are disposed in the image recording unit on a side of an outlet and are spaced from each other in a width direction of a medium conveyed, and a third support portion which is disposed in the image recording unit on an opposite side to the outlet. At least the first support portion and the second support portion are supported on the side of the outlet of the medium conveyance unit. | 11-04-2010 |
20100284708 | INTERMEDIATE TRANSFER UNIT, TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An intermediate transfer unit includes first to third movement controllers. When a first image carrier is used, the first movement controller moves a first moving member to a first position. When the first image carrier is not used, the first movement controller moves the first moving member to a second position. When second image carriers are used, the third movement controller moves a third moving member to a fifth position. When the second image carriers are not used, the third movement controller moves the third moving member to a sixth position. When any of the first and second image carriers is used, the second movement controller moves a second moving member to a third position. When the first and second image carriers are not used, the second movement controller moves the second moving member to a fourth position. | 11-11-2010 |
20110064464 | TRANSFER UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - Disclosed are a transfer unit and an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a main body frame on which one or more image carrying bodies are is supported and a transfer unit coupled to the main body frame. The transfer unit receives one or more images respectively from the one or more image carrying bodies, and may include, for example, an intermediate transfer belt for receiving thereon the one or more images, a transfer roller corresponding to an image carrying body and movable between a first position at which the transfer roller contacts the image carrying body and a second position at which the transfer roller is spaced apart from the image carrying body, an elastic member elastically biasing the transfer roller toward the first position and a guide structure that guides the movement of the transfer roller in a manner opposing the elastic force of the elastic member so as to reduce the speed at which the transfer roller moves from the second position to the first position and to thereby reduce the force of impact with which the transfer roller makes contact with the image carrying body. | 03-17-2011 |
20110064465 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image-forming unit, an intermediate transfer member, a backup member and a medium transfer member. The image-forming unit is configured to form a developed image, which is transferred to the intermediate transfer member. The intermediate transfer member is entrained about the backup member. The medium transfer member is opposed to the backup member and is configured to transfer the developed image on the intermediate transfer member to a medium. The medium transfer member is also at a first position where a rotational axis of the medium transfer member lies downstream of a rotational axis of the backup member in a medium transport direction. | 03-17-2011 |
20110064466 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In an image forming apparatus comprising an intermediate transfer belt ( | 03-17-2011 |
20110064467 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording sheet is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, a belt unit, and a pressing member configured to press the belt unit in a pressing direction crossing both a belt extending direction and an axial direction of a belt roller. A first positioning portion is disposed in the main body and a second positioning portion is disposed in the belt unit. A second positioning portion is disposed in the belt unit and configured to contact the first positioning portion to allow the belt unit to be positioned in the main body, and the pressing member is configured to press the belt unit such that the second positioning portion maintains contact with the first positioning portion. | 03-17-2011 |
20110069990 | TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A transfer device includes: a transfer roll that transfers a toner image formed on an image holding body to a transfer subject medium; a first holding member that holds the transfer roll rotatably; a pressure contact member that brings, via the first holding member, the transfer roll into pressure contact with the image holding body; a second holding member that holds the first holding member swingably and movably; and a pressing member that produces a pressing force for bringing the pressure contact member into pressure contact with the first holding member and the second holding member in a state that the first holding member is inclined from the second holding member. | 03-24-2011 |
20110069991 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, including: a main body; an image carrying body disposed in the main body, a transfer unit and an electrical charge removal unit. The image forming apparatus forms a visible image on the image carrying body by carrying out charging, exposing and developing processes. The transfer unit transfers the visible image from the image carrying body to a printing medium. The electrical charge removal unit is configured to remove the residual electrical charge from the printing medium, and is movable, in cooperation with at least one replaceable component part of the transfer unit, between an operable position at which the electrical charge removal unit is capable of removing the electrical charge from the printing medium and a non-interfering position at which the electrical charge removal unit does not interfere with the movement of the at least one replaceable component part of the transfer unit being received into or being removed from the main body for replacement. | 03-24-2011 |
20110081165 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus may includes an image carrying body, a intermediate transferring unit which includes an intermediate transferring belt to which a visible image on the image carrying body is transferred, a driving roller to drive the intermediate transferring belt, and a first roller support unit to support a rotation shaft of the driving roller. The image-forming apparatus also includes a medium transferring unit to transfer a visible image on the intermediate transferring belt to a printing medium and includes a transferring roller to move between a pressing position pressing the driving roller to interpose the intermediate transferring belt therebetween and a separated position separated from the pressing position, and a second roller support unit to support a rotation shaft of the transferring roller. The pressing position of the transferring roller can be regulated by a contact of the first roller support unit and the second roller support unit. | 04-07-2011 |
20110097110 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is with a unit that is detachably attached to an apparatus body. The unit includes a projection part that pivots around a pivot axis, the projection part includes an engaging part that engages with an engaged part; the apparatus body includes the engaged part that engages with the engaging part, and engagement of the engaging part and the engaged part is released in response to external force applied to the projection part. | 04-28-2011 |
20110110684 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including: an image carrier, provided to a main body of the image forming apparatus, that carries a toner image; an opening and closing member provided to be openable and closable against the main body; a transfer unit movably provided against the opening and closing member, the transfer unit including: a transfer body transferring the toner image onto a transfer receiving medium; and a holding member holding the transfer body and having a contact portion that is in contact with a counterpart contact portion provided to the main body when the opening and closing member is closed; and a maintaining unit maintaining a posture of the transfer unit against the opening and closing member when the contact portion is brought into contact with the counterpart contact portion during the course of transition of the opening and closing member from an opened state to the closed state. | 05-12-2011 |
20110110685 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND APPARATUS EXTERIOR UNIT - An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier carrying a toner image; a transfer unit including: a transfer body transferring the toner image onto a recording medium; and a positioning portion positioning the transfer body with respect to the image carrier; a guide portion guiding the recording medium to a position where the toner image is to be transferred onto the recording medium; and an opening and closing unit supporting the transfer unit and the guide portion and provided to be openable and closable by rotating with respect to a main body of the apparatus about a predetermined rotation center, the opening and closing unit forming different angles with the main body between when a force required to position the transfer unit with respect to the main body reaches a maximum value, and when a force required to position the guide portion with respect to the main body reaches a maximum value. | 05-12-2011 |
20110110686 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; an intermediate transfer unit including an intermediate transfer body onto which an image on the image carrier is transferred, and plural rotation members around which the intermediate transfer body is wound, each rotation member rotating around a rotation axis, the intermediate transfer unit detachably attached, in the rotation axis direction, to an apparatus main body; a secondary transfer unit that makes contact with and separates from the intermediate transfer body, the secondary transfer unit provided at an opposite side of the rotation members across the intermediate transfer body; a positioning unit that, when the intermediate transfer unit is attached to the apparatus main body, positions the intermediate transfer unit in the secondary transfer unit side at least at two points differently located in the rotation axis direction; and a securing unit that secures the intermediate transfer unit to the apparatus main body. | 05-12-2011 |
20110150529 | BELT DEVICE AND IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS - A belt device for use in an image forming apparatus includes two side frames supported by two slide rails disposed at the body of the image forming apparatus on the outside of the outer periphery of the belt member, a rear frame constructed between two sub-frames and having a box-shaped structure, a front frame having a smaller projecting surface than the inner periphery of the belt member as viewed from the front, a support frame that cantilever-supports the front frame with respect to the rear frame, and triangular reinforcing frames constructed across the side frames and the rear frame. | 06-23-2011 |
20110158689 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus including an endless belt in a belt unit is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes an engaging portion that contacts the belt unit such that the surface of the belt is placed under tension while the belt unit is urged against the engaging portion. | 06-30-2011 |
20110158690 | TRANSFER ASSEMBLY AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING SAME - A transfer assembly includes a counter member having a contact face, an engagement/disengagement unit to engage and disengage the image carrying face of image carrying member and the contact face of counter member using a cam, a pressure device to apply force to a transfer nip between the image carrying face and contact face, and a recording medium feed device to feed the recording medium to the transfer nip. When the cam is at a first rotation position, the image carrying face and contact face are separated, and when the cam is at a second rotation position, the image carrying face and contact face contact. Before the recording medium enters the transfer nip, the cam rotates from the first rotation position toward the second rotation position. After the recording medium enters the transfer nip, the cam is at the second rotation position to press the image carrying face with the contact face. | 06-30-2011 |
20110188890 | TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A transfer device includes: an endless transfer-belt that includes a first transfer-portion, at which a developer image is transferred onto an outer periphery surface of the transfer-belt, and a second transfer-portion, at which the developer image is transferred onto a member-to-be-transferred, the transfer-belt moving toward the second transfer-portion from the first transfer-portion; a transfer-member that, at the second transfer-portion, sandwiches the member-to-be-transferred between the transfer-member and the transfer-belt, and transfers the developer image to the member-to-be-transferred; a tension application unit that includes a resilient member, and a tension application member that urges the transfer-belt with resilient force of the resilient member and applies tension to the transfer-belt; and a damping member that causes damping force to act on the tension application member when the tension application member moves in one of a direction in which the tension application member urges the transfer-belt, or an opposite direction. | 08-04-2011 |
20110188891 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE MAGNIFICATION ADJUSTMENT METHOD - An image forming apparatus has an intermediate transfer belt stretched lightly across rollers to move endlessly in a sub-scanning direction upon image formation and has an outer surface to which a toner image formed by a development unit is transferred. A secondary transfer opposing roller is one of the rollers across which the intermediate transfer belt is stretched. A secondary transfer roller contacts the outer surface of the intermediate transfer belt and transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt to recording paper. A movement mechanism moves at least one of the rollers or the secondary transfer roller and changes a pressed state of the intermediate transfer belt by the secondary transfer roller at a nip of the secondary transfer opposing roller and the secondary transfer roller. A movement mechanism control unit controls a travel distance of the roller to be moved by the movement mechanism. | 08-04-2011 |
20110222907 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus capable of reducing deterioration of image quality caused by instantaneous fluctuation of driving speed of an image bearing member and intermediate transfer member, the apparatus including: an image bearing member; a primary transfer section to transfer toner image from the image bearing member onto an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transfer section, including a secondary transfer member to secondarily transfer the toner image from the intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium, capable of bringing the secondary transfer member into contact with the intermediate transfer member under pressure and then releasing the contact; a motor to drive the secondary transfer member, and a driving section configured to drive the secondary transfer section so as to bring the secondary transfer member into contact with the intermediate transfer member with pressure and then to release the contact, wherein the motor is not provided inside the secondary transfer section. | 09-15-2011 |
20110249986 | TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A transfer device includes an intermediate transfer belt, and a plurality of intermediate transfer rollers. A most upstream side intermediate transfer roller which is located most upstream in a moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt has a rotational axis arranged downstream from a rotational axis of a most upstream side photoreceptor drum which is located most upstream in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt when the most upstream side intermediate transfer roller is in its pressing position, while a most downstream side intermediate transfer roller which is located most downstream in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt has a rotational axis arranged upstream from a rotational axis of a most downstream side photoreceptor drum which is located most downstream in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt when the most downstream side intermediate transfer roller is in its pressing position. | 10-13-2011 |
20110280624 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image bearing members; a plurality of primary transferring devices for transferring toner images from the image bearing member onto an intermediary transfer belt provided above the plurality of image bearing members; an intermediary transfer unit including the intermediary transfer belt; a secondary transfer portion for transferring the toner image from the intermediary transfer belt onto a recording material; a feeding path for feeding the recording material upwardly toward the secondary transfer portion; a detecting member for detecting the toner image formed on the intermediary transfer belt; an adjusting device for adjusting a condition under which the image is formed on the image bearing member on the basis of a result of detection of the detecting member; an openable member for opening the feeding path; a guiding mechanism for guiding draw of the intermediary transfer unit toward the feeding path when the openable member opens; and a retracting mechanism for retracting the detecting member away from the intermediary transfer unit with movement of the intermediary transfer unit toward the feeding path. | 11-17-2011 |
20120003005 | ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, including: a plurality of electrophotographic photosensitive drums; a transfer unit for rotatably supporting a transfer member for transferring toner images formed on the drums onto the recording medium, the transfer unit being movable, with the transfer member being in contact with at least one of the drums, between a mounting position inside an apparatus main body for mounting the transfer unit to the main body and a removing position outside the main body for removing the transfer unit; and a rotative force generating unit for generating a rotative force for rotating the transfer member in association with the movement of the transfer unit when the transfer unit is moved from the mounting position to the removing position and when the transfer unit is moved from the removing position to the mounting position. | 01-05-2012 |
20120003006 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus according to this invention includes a first movement mechanism, a preliminary charger, and a second movement mechanism. The first movement mechanism moves a primary transfer section between a first position at which an intermediate transfer member is brought into pressure contact with a photoreceptor and a second position at which the intermediate transfer member is spaced apart from the photoreceptor. The preliminary charger is disposed in the motion direction of the intermediate transfer member between the primary transfer section and a secondary transfer section, and disposed at a predetermined position relative to the intermediate transfer member. The preliminary charger applies a charge to a toner image on the intermediate transfer member. The second movement mechanism moves the preliminary charger as the primary transfer section is moved by the first movement mechanism, while maintaining the preliminary charger at the predetermined position relative to the intermediate transfer member. | 01-05-2012 |
20120027460 | MOUNTING STRUCTURE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A mounting structure includes a supporting member and an engagement member. The supporting member includes a first engaging section at one edge portion and a second engaging section at the other edge portion, and supports or positions an object to support. The engagement member includes a first engagement section capable of engaging with the first engaging section and a second engagement section capable of engaging with the second engaging section, and is a member for holding the supporting member with the supporting member being mounted onto the engagement member. Also, the supporting member supports or positions the object to support with the first engaging section and the second engaging section respectively engaging with the first engagement section and the second engagement section. The first engaging section has a higher rigidity than the first engagement section. The second engaging section has a higher rigidity than the second engagement section. | 02-02-2012 |
20120027461 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A control portion obtains a first difference in a movement amount between paper passing period and paper non-passage period of a transfer belt, and determines whether or not a first absolute value thereof is a first threshold value or more. In a case where the first absolute value is the first threshold value or more, a transfer belt unit positional adjustment motor is driven to adjust a first angle with respect to a first direction of a transfer belt unit with respect to a photoreceptor drum. In a case where the first absolute value is less than the first threshold value, a second absolute value of a second difference between a movement amount and a designed value set in advance of the transfer belt is obtained, and whether or not the second absolute value is a second threshold value or more is determined. When the second absolute value is less than the second threshold value, the processing is finished, and when the second absolute value is the second threshold value or more, a second angle with respect to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction of the driving roller with respect to the photoreceptor drum is adjusted so as to be less than the second threshold value by a driving roller positional adjustment motor. | 02-02-2012 |
20120045245 | BELT UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE BELT UNIT - A belt unit used for an image forming apparatus is provided. The belt unit includes a rotatable endless belt, a plurality of stretching members configured to stretch the belt, an urging member, and a contact and separation unit configured to be able to switch a position of the stretching member urged by the urging member. In moving the stretching member urged by the urging member from the separation position to the contact position, the contact and separation unit makes one end side of the stretching member urged by the urging member in a longitudinal direction coming into contact with the inner surface of the belt faster than the other end side, and temporarily decreases the movement speeds of the both ends of the stretching member in the longitudinal direction respectively before arriving at the contact position. | 02-23-2012 |
20120099896 | TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The transfer device according to one embodiment is a device which transfers a toner image to a member for transferral which passes through a nip portion formed by a first transfer member which is disposed on a main body of an apparatus and a second transfer member which is disposed on an opening and closing cover which opens and closes an opening of a main body of the apparatus which includes, a positioning member which positions the second transfer member which moves according to a closing operation of the opening and closing cover, to a predetermined distance with respect to the first transfer member; and an engaging member which engages with the second transfer member and pushes the second transfer member toward a positioning position of the positioning member, by being urged by the elastic member. | 04-26-2012 |
20120121293 | TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - A transfer device includes a moving device to move a contact surface of an opposing member toward and away from an image bearing surface of an image bearing member. The moving device includes a cam and a cam driving device to rotate the cam. When the cam is at a first position, the image bearing surface and the contact surface are separated. When the cam is at a second position, the image bearing surface and the contact surface contact each other. After a recording medium enters a transfer nip between the image bearing surface and the contact surface, the cam is at the second position, and when the recording medium exits the transfer nip a timing at which the cam starts to rotate from the second position to the first position changes depending on a thickness of the recording medium, to reduce pressure in the transfer nip. | 05-17-2012 |
20120141166 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An upstream end of a guide surface of a recording material guide in the recording-material conveying direction is located on the same side as a separation belt-stretching roller with respect to an extension of the belt surface from the separation belt-stretching roller to a recessed portion formed in the belt surface by the separation assistance rollers. | 06-07-2012 |
20120148299 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a belt member; a first drum for bearing a toner image to be transferred onto the belt member; a second drum, provided downstream of the first drum with respect to a rotational direction of the belt member, for bearing a toner image to be transferred onto the belt member; a first steering portion, provided upstream of the first drum with respect to the rotational direction of the belt member, for controlling a widthwise position of the belt member; and a second steering portion, provided downstream of the second drum with respect to the rotational direction of the belt member, for controlling the widthwise position of the belt member with a delay of a movement time of the belt member from the first drum to the second drum. | 06-14-2012 |
20120148300 | BELT UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS EMPLOYING SAME - A belt unit is detachably attached to a housing. A holder changes a state of an endless belt by moving a transfer roller between a first state as an endless belt movement state and a second state as a detachment state. The first state allows the endless belt to circulate for image formation, and the second state allows the belt unit to be detached from the housing. The holder moves the transfer roller adjacent supporter independently of the transfer roller and lifts the opening in the endless belt to a prescribed position to expose it to the front side plate. | 06-14-2012 |
20120148301 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A charge elimination needle is set at a predetermined position (first position) when a recording material is separated by utilizing the curvature of a separation stretching roller without using a separation assist roller, and at a position (second position) higher than the first position when the recording material is separated by using the separation assist roller. | 06-14-2012 |
20120148302 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a body frame, a support roller placed at one side of a movement path of a printing medium, a transfer roller assembly placed at the other side of the movement path of the printing medium at a position adjacent to the support roller, and a door to open or close the body frame so as to expose the movement path of the printing medium. The transfer roller assembly has a rotating axis kept at a fixed position of the body frame, and is moved away from the support roller in linkage with an opening operation of the door. | 06-14-2012 |
20120163863 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus include a main body and a conveyance unit. The main body includes an image carrier forming a toner image on a surface, a roller locating portion formed on both axial ends of the image carrier, and a guide locating portion formed in proximity to the roller locating portion. The conveyance unit is mounted to open and close on the main body, and includes a transfer roller unit, a conveyance guide, and a biasing member. The transfer roller unit has a transfer roller forming a transfer nip portion with the image carrier, and a separation lever configured to provide pivotal support for the transfer roller and being disposed to rotate. The conveyance guide is configured to guide a sheet of paper to the transfer nip portion, includes a regulating portion. The biasing member is configured to bias the conveyance guide toward the guide locating portion. | 06-28-2012 |
20120237257 | COLOR IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A color image forming apparatus includes: a main body of the apparatus that forms a color image; and an intermediate transfer unit for transferring the color image formed by the main body of the apparatus, wherein the intermediate transfer unit is configured to be removed from and to be inserted into the main body of the apparatus, and wherein the intermediate transfer unit is configured to perform a door-like opening and closing movement. | 09-20-2012 |
20120237258 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus having: a guide that is a component of a conveyance route for a print medium; a first door that incorporates the guide, an inside of the conveyance route being exposed to an outside of a main body of the image forming apparatus when the first door is open; a functional component fixed to the first door, the functional component being placed in a specified position by contact with a component located inside the main body when the first door is closed; a first lock mechanism for keeping the first door closed; a second door that covers the first door when the second door is closed and that exposes the first door to the outside of the main body when the second door is open; and a second lock mechanism for keeping the second door closed. | 09-20-2012 |
20120243907 | INTERMEDIATE TRANSFER MEMBER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME, INTERMEDIATE TRANSFER MEMBER UNIT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is an intermediate transfer member including, a resin layer as an outermost layer, in which plural recessed portions having a curved inner wall are scattered on the surface thereof. | 09-27-2012 |
20120301186 | WEB FEED SYSTEM HAVING COMPENSATION ROLL - An apparatus includes a photoreceptor belt, a fixed transfer roller positioned on the inside of the photoreceptor belt, and a movable transfer roller positioned on the outside of the photoreceptor belt. The fixed transfer roller and the movable transfer roller are positioned to form a nip, and the photoreceptor belt and a web of print media are positioned in the nip. Also, a support roller and a compensation roller contact the web of print media. The support roller is positioned between the compensation roller and the nip. A physical link is connected to the support roller and the compensation roller. The physical link moves the support roller and the compensation roller so as to keep a constant tension on the web of print media. | 11-29-2012 |
20120315064 | Belt Unit and Image Formation Device - A belt unit is provided with an endless belt, a pair of rollers around which the endless belt is wound, and a regulating member having a flange surface provided at one axial end of at least one of the pair of rollers. The flange surface extends on an outer side with respect to an outer surface of the endless belt wound around the pair of rollers, the flange surface is configured to contact an end, in a width direction, of the endless belt to prevent the endless belt from moving obliquely, and the flange surface is formed with a conical surface which is configured such that a portion closer to a peripheral side of the conical surface is closer to an axial center of the at least one of the pair of rollers. | 12-13-2012 |
20120328331 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of image bearing members, provided in parallel, each for forming a toner image; a first intermediary transfer member for forming a primary transfer portion between itself and each of the image bearing members, wherein the toner images formed on the image bearing members are to be primary-transferred onto the first intermediary transfer member; a second intermediary transfer member onto which the toner images are to be secondary-transferred from the first intermediary transfer member; and a transfer member for tertiary-transferring the toner images from the second intermediary transfer member onto a recording material. The first and second intermediary transfer members are integrally assembled into a transfer unit. The transfer unit is movable relative to a main assembly of the image forming apparatus in a direction in which the image bearing members are provided in parallel. | 12-27-2012 |
20130016996 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUSAANM Yuasa; TakaoAACI Toride-shiAACO JPAAGP Yuasa; Takao Toride-shi JP - An image forming apparatus includes an inclining device for inclining the endless belt so as to keep the an endless belt in a normal range in a widthwise direction of the belt; a blade member for pressing against the belt at a pressing portion to clean it; a detecting portion for detecting deviation of the belt from a normal range in a widthwise direction thereof; and an executing portion for executing an operation in a mode in which a lubricant is supplied to the pressing portion, when the detecting portion detects that the belt is deviated from the normal range. | 01-17-2013 |
20130051854 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a rotatable transfer member rotatably driven while carrying a toner image thereon; a rotary transfer member to form a transfer nip for transferring the toner image to a recording medium; a housing rotatable about a first rotation center together with the rotary transfer member and switching between a closed state and an open state by the rotation about the first rotation center; a guide member to guide the recording medium conveyed through a conveyance path toward upstream in the direction of rotation of the rotatable transfer member than the transfer nip; a support frame to support the rotatable transfer member; a biasing member to bias the guide member; and a receiving part, disposed on the support frame, configured to contact the guide member biased by the biasing member and position the guide member in the closed state of the housing. | 02-28-2013 |
20130064572 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image carrier, a detachable transfer body on which an image is transferred, a contact and separation mechanism that moves the transfer body into contact with and away from the image carrier, and a coupling member to be coupled to the contact and separation mechanism. When the coupling member is turned forward to a first turn position in a coupled state coupled to the contact and separation mechanism, the contact and separation mechanism contacts the transfer body with the image carrier, and when the coupling member is turned in reverse from the first turn position to a second turn position in the coupled state, the contact and separation mechanism separates the transfer body from the image carrier and the coupling member withdraws in a direction opposite a direction to couple the coupling member to the contact and separation mechanism. | 03-14-2013 |
20130077992 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND TRANSFER DEVICE - A transfer assembly includes a support member having a side wall that extends in such a direction as to intersect a line extending from the rotation axis of a transfer roller and that has a hole through which a support shaft is inserted with some play being present. The hole has such a shape that, at the beginning of a period when a door is rotated from an open state to a closed state and a positioned portion is in contact with a positioning member, gaps are formed between the support shaft and a wall surface of the hole on both sides of the support shaft in a radial direction crossing an arc that is drawn from a center of the arc at the center line of rotation of the door and that passes through the support shaft. | 03-28-2013 |
20130108319 | PACKAGE | 05-02-2013 |
20130108320 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 05-02-2013 |
20130136498 | TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME - A transfer device and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. Shapes of cam profiles of first cam members and second cam members controlling movement of first slider members moving a first transfer roller corresponding to a black developer, and second slider members moving a second transfer roller corresponding to a color developer. Times are different as when movement of the first slider members is completed and when movement of the second slider members is completed in mode conversion among a ready mode, a mono mode and a color mode, and thus a driving load generated when the first and second cam members are rotated is reduced, non-uniformity of the rotating speeds of the first and second cam members is reduced, and problems generated due to non-uniform rotating speeds of the cam members are reduced. | 05-30-2013 |
20130142544 | SINGLE FUNCTION BTR WITH ZERO MEDIA WRAP ANGLE - An electrostatographic printing apparatus that includes a charge receptor endless belt; a transfer nip including a BTR roll in contact with the charge receptor at a transfer zone, a continuous media supplied to the transfer zone, and the transfer nip adapted for systematic engagement and disengagement with the continuous media for synchronization of image transfer from the charge receptor to the media. More specifically, in response to recognition of imaging inconsistencies such as belt seams, test patches, or label format pitches, the endless belt disengages from the continuous media at the BTR roll. The BTR roll is appropriately turned on and off and the continuous media reversed in direction commonly known as a ‘Pilgrim step’, then returned to normal direction to synchronize the transfer of images to the continuous media, wherein there is substantially zero wrap of the continuous media on the BTR roll during the engagement of the continuous media with the charge receptor belt. | 06-06-2013 |
20130195506 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PROVIDING ACCURATE POSITIONING OF BELT UNIT - An image forming apparatus includes a support frame having a first abutment portion, and a belt unit detachably attachable to the support frame and having a first abutted portion configured to be in contact with the first abutment portion. One of the support frame and the belt unit has a pressing portion, and remaining one of the support frame and the belt unit has a pressed portion pressed by the pressing portion so as to increase a contacting surface pressure between the first abutment portion and the first abutted portion. The pressing portion has a first contacting portion in contact with the pressed portion, and the pressed portion has a second contacting portion in contact with the first contacting portion. The first contacting portion and the second contacting portion are made from an electrically conductive material. | 08-01-2013 |
20130216260 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a housing and a transfer unit. The transfer unit detachably attachable relative to the housing includes a drive roller, a driven roller disposed opposite the drive roller, a belt formed into a loop and entrained around the drive roller and the driven roller, a frame to support the shaft of the drive roller, and a support member to movably support the shaft of the driven roller to be parallel to an axial direction of the drive roller and movable in a first direction different from the axial direction. A positioning member disposed in the housing holds the shaft of the drive roller parallel, and a restriction member restricts movement of the driven roller in the first direction to keep the shaft of the driven roller parallel to the shaft of the drive roller as the transfer unit is mounted in the image forming apparatus. | 08-22-2013 |
20130223879 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member (drum); a movable belt; an operating lever movable between a contact position (state) between the belt and the drum and a second position (state) between the belt and the drum, wherein between the contact position and the spaced position, a passing position is located; a cam for transiting the belt and the drum between the contact and spaced states by transmitting thereto a driving force for moving the operating lever to rotate the cam; a driving force transmitting mechanism; and a rotation stopping mechanism for stopping, when the operating lever is moved from the first position to the third position, rotation of the cam to maintain the spaced state so that the belt and drum are prevented from being transited from the spaced state to the contact state by continuation of the rotation of the cam by inertia. | 08-29-2013 |
20130243482 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a transfer unit that is detachably attachable to a housing of the image forming apparatus and includes: a transfer member configured to contact the image carrier; a movable frame that supports the transfer member and configured to rotate around a fulcrum shaft; a driving input member coaxially arranged with the fulcrum shaft and configured to connect to a first driving transmitting member, and a second driving transmitting member supported by the movable frame and configured to transmit a driving force inputted by the driving input member to the transfer member. The image forming apparatus further includes a contact/separation unit configured to press the transfer member against the image carrier and to separate the transfer member from the image carrier by moving the movable frame around the fulcrum shaft while the transfer unit is attached to the image forming apparatus. | 09-19-2013 |
20130259526 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus having an apparatus body includes an image carrying body carrying an image, a transfer body which is provided in the apparatus body and to which the image is transferred, a first opening and closing member, a second opening and closing member, and a movement mechanism. The first opening and closing member is rotatable so as to open and close an opening of the apparatus body. The transfer body is detachable from the apparatus body through the opening. The second opening and closing member, which is displaceable relative to the first opening and closing member, together with the first opening and closing member opens and closes the opening in conjunction with opening and closing operations of the first opening and closing member. The movement mechanism causes the second opening and closing member to move in a direction away from the transfer body. | 10-03-2013 |
20130272745 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The image forming apparatus includes a bearing member provided to a secondary transfer unit, the bearing member being configured to engage with a main body unit of the apparatus, a hooking-receiving member provided so as to be rotatable in the main body unit of the apparatus and opposed to the bearing member, and a rotation regulation member provided to the main body unit of the apparatus, the rotation regulation member being configured to regulate rotation of the hooking-receiving member, in which the hooking-receiving member contacts the rotation regulation member when the secondary transfer unit is closed with respect to the main body unit of the apparatus, and the hooking-receiving member rotates in a direction away from the rotation regulation member when the secondary transfer unit is opened with respect to the main body unit of the apparatus. | 10-17-2013 |
20130287438 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a transfer member; and a contact-and-separation portion. The contact-and-separation means includes: an urging member; a movement driving portion; and a controller for controlling the movement driving portion so that the transfer member is locatable at a contact position where the transfer member is contacted to the image bearing member, a first spaced position where the transfer member is spaced from the image bearing member in a state in which a load by the urging force is exerted on the movement driving portion, and a second spaced position where the transfer member is spaced from the image bearing member in a state in which the load by the urging force is not exerted on the movement driving portion. | 10-31-2013 |
20130315624 | Image Forming Apparatus - An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit; a belt unit with a first roller, a second roller, an endless belt, and a frame; a frame positioning member arranged in the belt unit to define a position of the frame in the axial direction with respect to a body; a first roller positioning member arranged in the belt unit to define a position of the first roller in the axial direction with respect to the frame; a guiding member arranged in a position corresponding to one of axial-end sides of the first roller along the axial direction in the endless belt; and an engageable member arranged on the one of axial-end sides of the first roller in the belt unit, is provided. The frame positioning member, the first roller positioning member, and the engageable member are arranged on the same axial-end side along the axial direction. | 11-28-2013 |
20140003839 | Image Forming Apparatus | 01-02-2014 |
20140016965 | DISPLACEMENT MECHANISM FOR SECONDARY TRANSFER UNIT - A displacement mechanism for a secondary transfer unit ( | 01-16-2014 |
20140029981 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In one embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes an opening/closing cover that is supported so as to be capable of moving relative to an image forming apparatus main body and opens/closes an opening portion of the image forming apparatus main body; and a unit installed so as to be capable of swinging on an image forming apparatus main body side of the opening/closing cover, in which when the opening/closing cover is opened/closed, the unit moves in a track that moves around a guide shaft of the unit, and in a track that moves so as to follow opening/closing of the opening/closing cover. | 01-30-2014 |
20140072340 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit; an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transfer member to form a secondary transfer nip with the intermediate transfer member and the secondary transfer member; a biasing mechanism to bias the secondary transfer member toward the intermediate transfer member; a cam member rotatable between a first position, at which a predetermined space is formed in the secondary transfer nip, and a second position, at which the secondary transfer member and the intermediate transfer member contact each other; and a contact-separation controller configured to put the cam member in the first position before entry of the recording medium into the secondary transfer nip, rotate the cam member toward the second position when the recording medium enters the secondary transfer nip, and change a start timing of rotation of the cam member in accordance with a thickness of the recording medium. | 03-13-2014 |
20140079434 | TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus, includes: a main body; a cover configured to be provided so as to be capable of being opened and closed with respect to the main body; an attachment unit configured to be provided on the cover; a unit configured to be attached to the attachment unit; a positioning member configured to, on closing of the cover, position the unit with respect to a member attached to the main body or the main body; a guiding member configured to guide the unit to the positioning member; and a protrusion configured to be provided at the guiding member to protrude in an attaching direction of the unit. | 03-20-2014 |
20140105642 | COLOR ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes plural cartridge mounting portions for demountably mounting independently removable cartridges, a moving unit that includes the cartridge mounting portions and is movable between an image forming position and a mounting and demounting position for mounting and demounting the cartridges, and a mounting and demounting position locking member for locking the moving unit in the mounting and demounting position to prevent movement to the image forming position when at least one of the cartridges is not mounted in the corresponding cartridge mounting portion. The mounting and demounting position locking member is movable from an unlocking position to a locking position in interrelation with demounting of any one of the cartridges from its corresponding cartridge mounting portion, and to the unlocking position when all of the plurality of cartridges are mounted in their corresponding plurality of cartridge mounting portions. | 04-17-2014 |
20140126931 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a separating mechanism configured to move a transfer belt between a first position in which the transfer belt contacts a photoconductor to a second position, a separating shaft configured to rotate to cause the separating mechanism to move from the first position to the second position. The image forming apparatus further includes a lever configured to be removably mounted on a first end of the separating shaft, and an accommodation section configured to accommodate the lever in a body of the image forming apparatus. A second end of the separating shaft prevents the accommodation of the lever in the accommodation section when the lever is removed and when the separating shaft is in the first rotation position. | 05-08-2014 |
20140140726 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a rotary shaft, a first image bearing member, a nip forming member, a moving device, and a restriction device. The first image bearing member bears a visible image on a surface thereof and is rotatable about the rotary shaft which is driven directly or indirectly. The nip forming member contacts the first image bearing member to form a transfer nip therebetween. The moving device is disposed on the rotary shaft and rotates to move the nip forming member to contact and separate from the first image bearing member. The restriction device inhibits rotation of the moving member in a state in which the nip forming member is separated from the first image bearing member by the rotation of the moving device. | 05-22-2014 |
20140140727 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - While providing an easy access to a working space between a secondary transfer roller and an intermediate transfer belt, an image forming apparatus is capable of ensuring a working space wider than a rotation radius of the secondary transfer roller in a state that the rotation center portion is pivotally supported on the image forming apparatus side. In a state that a rotation center portion engages with a rotation center hole provided in a housing frame, a secondary transfer unit is rotated on the rotation center hole to position the secondary transfer roller with respect to a secondary transfer counter roller. When the rotation center portion, which is engaged with the rotation center hole, is disengaged accompanying the opening operation of the exterior door, the exterior door supporting the secondary transfer unit is capable of opening widely outward. | 05-22-2014 |
20140178099 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: a main assembly; a belt unit, including a belt member and supporting rollers for supporting the belt member, detachably mountable to the main assembly with respect to a direction crossing a rotational axis direction of the supporting rollers; image forming portions, provided below the belt unit along the belt member, for forming toner images on the belt member; toner cartridges, provided above the belt unit, for supplying toners to the image forming portions, respectively; a side plate provided in the main assembly; and an integrated member provided on the side plate and including a guiding member having a guiding portion for guiding the belt unit and toner supply passages for permitting communication of the image forming portions with the toner cartridges, respectively. The guiding member and the toner supply passages are integrally constituted so that the toner supply passages penetrate the guiding member. | 06-26-2014 |
20140186073 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including a body provided at one side thereof with an opening, a transfer device movably installed at the body so as to be detachable through the opening, and a locking lever rotatably installed at the transfer device, wherein the locking lever rotates between a first position at which one end of the locking lever protrudes from the transfer device and a second position at which the one end is accommodated within the transfer device, and the body includes a locking protrusion that is locked with other end of the locking lever in a state that the locking lever is at the first position, so that only in a state that a worker rotates the locking lever while gripping the transfer device, the transfer device is separated from the body, thereby separating the transfer device in a safe manner. | 07-03-2014 |
20140334847 | TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME - A transfer device includes an image carrier, a transfer roller, and a moving unit. The moving unit moves the transfer roller between a nip formation state in which the transfer roller forms a transfer nipping portion in contact with the image carrier and a separated state in which the transfer roller is separated from the image carrier. In a contact operation of bringing the transfer roller into contact with the image carrier via the recording medium, the moving unit moves the transfer roller toward the image carrier at a moving velocity slower than that in a pressing operation of generating a predetermined nipping pressure by further moving the transfer roller toward the image carrier after the contact operation. The moving unit causes the recording medium to enter the transfer nipping portion in the contact operation. | 11-13-2014 |
20140356026 | PRINTING SYSTEM - According to one example there is provided a printing system comprising print engine for printing on a substrate in a print zone, and a drum positioned in proximity to a print zone. The drum supported by a plurality of support rollers in contact with an inner surface of the drum. | 12-04-2014 |
20150016839 | BELT UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt unit includes a endless belt, a tension roller, at least one extension roller, a first bearing portion supporting a first end of the tension roller such that the first end is movable in a tension direction and is detachably mounted to be able to releases the tension force by the first end coming off from the first bearing portion, a second bearing portion supporting a second end of the tension roller to be movable in the tension direction, a first urging portion urging the first end of the tension roller, a second urging portion urging the second end of the tension roller, a first frame portion integrally supporting the first bearing portion, the first urging portion, and the extension roller, and a second frame portion integrally supporting the second bearing portion, the second urging portion, and the tension roller and detachably mounted on the first frame portion. | 01-15-2015 |
20150055980 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is an image forming apparatus including plural image holding members that have toner images formed on respective surfaces thereof, image forming sections that form the toner images on the plural image holding members, respectively, a belt member that has an endless belt shape, plural transfer members each of which nips the belt member between the transfer member and a corresponding image holding member, a moving mechanism that individually moves the plural transfer members between a first place and a second place, plural rod-shaped rotating members around which the belt member is stretched and rotated, an adjusting member that adjusts a position of the belt member, an initializing mechanism that performs an initialization processing of returning the inclination of the adjusting member to an initial state, and a controller that starts the initialization processing by the initializing mechanism. | 02-26-2015 |
20150055981 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus is provided, including a plurality of rollers; an endless belt mountable to the plurality of rollers from a proximal side of the image forming apparatus in an axial direction of the plurality of rollers; a first side plate to support one end of the plurality of rollers at the proximal side of the image forming apparatus in the axial direction; and a plurality of guide members, disposed at a more proximal side than the first side plate in the axial direction, to guide the belt to be mounted to the plurality of rollers with the guide members contacting the belt. | 02-26-2015 |
20150055982 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including a side cover rotatably installed to open and close an opening provided at a body thereof while rotating, a first transfer unit to which a visible image of photoconductors of developing units is transferred, and a second transfer unit movably installed at the side cover to transfer the visible image to a printing medium, wherein the second transfer unit is provided at both sides thereof with a plurality of guide protrusions to perform a position restriction, and the body is provided at both sidewalls of inside thereof with a plurality of guide members to support the plurality of guide protrusions such that the second transfer unit is supported against both sidewalls of the inside of the body through the guide protrusion and the guide member, thereby reducing a reaction force applied to the side cover. | 02-26-2015 |
20150078781 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a belt unit capable of being inserted into and pulled out of the apparatus, the belt unit including a movable endless belt, a supporting frame supporting the endless belt and having an accommodating portion, a grip member which is provided on the supporting frame at a position outside the belt in a widthwise direction of the belt crossing with a moving direction of the belt and which is movable between a first position in which the grip member is projected out of the accommodating portion in a direction crossing with the widthwise direction and a second position in which the grip member is accommodated in the accommodating portion, and an urging member configured to urge the grip member in a direction from the second position toward the first position. | 03-19-2015 |
20150078782 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In one embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes an opening/closing cover that is supported so as to be capable of moving relative to an image forming apparatus main body and opens/closes an opening portion of the image forming apparatus main body; and a unit installed so as to be capable of swinging on an image forming apparatus main body side of the opening/closing cover, in which when the opening/closing cover is opened/closed, the unit moves in a track that moves around a guide shaft of the unit, and in a track that moves so as to follow opening/closing of the opening/closing cover. | 03-19-2015 |
20150086239 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A control part provided in an image forming apparatus controls a moving unit so as to cause a secondary transfer rotary member to move from an intermediate position to an abutment position at a first moving speed in the case of bringing the secondary transfer rotary member into abutment against an intermediate transfer member during an exposure period or a primary transfer period, and to cause the secondary transfer rotary member to move from a separation position to the abutment position at a second moving speed higher than the first moving speed in the case of bringing the secondary transfer rotary member into abutment against the intermediate transfer member during a period other than the exposure period and the primary transfer period. Thus, the productivity can be prevented from being degraded while a load change at a time of the abutment of the secondary transfer rotary member is reduced. | 03-26-2015 |
20150086240 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - In one embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes an opening/closing cover that is supported so as to be capable of moving relative to an image forming apparatus main body and opens/closes an opening portion of the image forming apparatus main body; and a unit installed so as to be capable of swinging on an image forming apparatus main body side of the opening/closing cover, in which when the opening/closing cover is opened/closed, the unit moves in a track that moves around a guide shaft of the unit, and in a track that moves so as to follow opening/closing of the opening/closing cover. | 03-26-2015 |
20150104213 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrying unit; a unit-to-be-moved; a pulse motor; a moving mechanism including a rotatable member provided with a member-to-be-detected; a detecting portion; an executing portion; and a controller for causing the executing portion to execute a first stop mode on the basis of detection of the detecting portion when the unit-to-be-moved is changed in position from the second or third position to the first position and to execute a second stop mode on the basis of a pulse number of a driving signal when the unit-to-be-moved is changed in position from the first or third position to the second position and when the unit-to-be-moved is changed in position from the first or second position to the third position, and for making the change at least between the second and third positions by only unidirectional rotation of the pulse motor. | 04-16-2015 |
20150125181 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image carrying member; a transfer unit that includes a transfer member, first and second separating portions configured to separate ends of the transfer member that are on one side and on another side, respectively, from the image carrying member; an engaging unit that includes first and second engaging portions configured to engage with the first and second separating portions, respectively, the engaging unit being configured to separate the transfer member from the image carrying member when the first engaging portion engages with the first separating portion and the second engaging portion engages with the second separating portion; and a regulating member configured to regulate a movement of the engaging unit. The engaging unit is moved by the regulating member from the one side toward the other side or from the other side toward the one side. | 05-07-2015 |
20150147092 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Provided is an image forming apparatus including an apparatus body, an opening and closing member that is provided to be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus body, and a toner image holding unit that is configured such that an image holding member holding toner images formed by plural toner image forming units is movable between a first contact position at which the image holding member comes into contact with all toner image forming units and a second contact position at which the image holding member comes into contact with at least one of the toner image forming units, wherein when the opening and closing member is opened with respect to the apparatus body or when a power supply supplying power to the apparatus body is disconnected, the image holding member moves to the second contact position. | 05-28-2015 |
20150301497 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes: a main assembly to which a cartridge including an image bearing member on which a latent image is formed and including a developing device for developing the latent image on the image bearing member is detachably mountable; and a transfer unit, detachably mountable to the main assembly separately from the cartridge, for transferring a developer image formed on the image bearing member. The developing device includes a developer carrying member and is movable between a contact position where the developer carrying member is contacted to the image bearing member and a spaced position where the developer carrying member is spaced from the image bearing member. The transfer unit includes a developing device contact-and-separation mechanism for moving the developing device between the contact position and the spaced position. | 10-22-2015 |
20150309447 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a lever configured to move a secondary transfer roller from an endless belt. The lever is arranged between a primary transfer surface of the endless belt, which opposes a plurality of image bearing members between an opposing roller and a stretching roller, and a surface opposing the primary transfer surface. The lever is engaged with the secondary transfer roller to separate the secondary transfer roller from the endless belt. Such a simple contact-separation configuration for the secondary transfer roller achieves reduction in size and space of the image forming apparatus. | 10-29-2015 |
20150346643 | TRANSFER ASSEMBLY AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME - The transfer assembly includes a belt, a transfer device, a contact-and-separation device including a retainer, and a first vibration absorber. The transfer device contacts an image bearer via the belt to form a transfer nip portion between the image bearer and the belt and to transfer the toner image onto one of a surface of the belt and a recording medium carried on the surface of the belt. The contact-and-separation device moves the transfer device to contact and separate from the image bearer. The retainer is pivotally supported by a swingable shaft and movable in a first direction in which the transfer device approaches the image bearer and in a second direction opposite to the first direction in which the transfer device separates from the image bearer, to hold the transfer device. The first vibration absorber absorbs vibration transmitted from the swingable shaft to the transfer device via the retainer. | 12-03-2015 |
20150346646 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus, comprising:
| 12-03-2015 |
20150346648 | BELT UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A belt unit including a steering mechanism employing a belt auto alignment method includes a restricting portion configured to enable a steering roller to rotate about a steering axis line for correcting the deviation of the position of the belt in the width-wise direction, while restricting the inclination of the steering roller due to the rotation. | 12-03-2015 |
20160004210 | Image-Forming Apparatus Having Structure for Stably Supporting Belt Unit - An image-forming apparatus includes a main body, a belt unit detachably attachable to the main body, a coupling and a first restricting part. The belt unit includes: a first roller defining an axis extending in an axial direction, a second roller opposing the first roller other in a first direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and a belt looped over the first roller and the second roller. The coupling is configured to move in the axial direction to come into engagement with the first roller for inputting a drive force into the first roller. The first restricting part is provided on the main body and is configured to restrict the first roller from moving in a second direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the first direction when the belt unit is attached to the main body. | 01-07-2016 |
20160018781 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including a body provided at one side thereof with an opening, a transfer device movably installed at the body so as to be detachable through the opening, and a locking lever rotatably installed at the transfer device, wherein the locking lever rotates between a first position at which one end of the locking lever protrudes from the transfer device and a second position at which the one end is accommodated within the transfer device, and the body includes a locking protrusion that is locked with other end of the locking lever in a state that the locking lever is at the first position, so that only in a state that a worker rotates the locking lever while gripping the transfer device, the transfer device is separated from the body, thereby separating the transfer device in a safe manner. | 01-21-2016 |
20160026148 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a support body provided in an apparatus body to be drawn out from the apparatus body while supporting a supported body, and having a support portion on a front side of the supported body in a drawing direction, and an image forming body on which an image to be transferred on the supported body or a recording medium transported by the support body is formed, the image forming body being provided in the apparatus body to be drawn out from the apparatus body in the drawing direction of the support body and being positioned relative to the apparatus body in an intersecting direction intersecting the drawing direction with an end portion on a front side in the drawing direction abutting on the support portion in the intersecting direction. | 01-28-2016 |
20160048104 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes image forming stations including respective electrophotographic photosensitive drums; an image transfer belt contactable to the drums; image transfer rollers, contactable to the transfer belt to urge the belt to the drums for transferring the toner images from the drums onto the belt, the rollers being provided with respective rotational shafts about an axis of which the rollers are rotatable; and a slidable member slidable in a direction in which the stations are arranged to retract the rollers away from the corresponding drums, the slidable member being provided with inclined surfaces contactable to the shafts, the inclined surfaces being disposed at such positions that the rollers are retracted from respective drums sequentially with the movement of the slidable member in the direction. | 02-18-2016 |
20160139543 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, an image forming device, a transfer member, and a contact-and-separation device. The contact-and-separation device starts a contact operation to move the transfer member to contact the image bearer according to an entry of a recording medium into a transfer nip. The thinner the recording medium, the faster a contacting speed at which the transfer member moves to contact the image bearer. The thicker the recording medium, the slower the contacting speed. | 05-19-2016 |
20160154344 | Image Forming Apparatus With Removable Waste Toner Container and Exposable Feeding Path | 06-02-2016 |
20160154371 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 06-02-2016 |
20160170331 | SPACING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 06-16-2016 |
20160170337 | BELT TENSION ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 06-16-2016 |
20160187818 | BELT UNIT, TRANSFER DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A belt unit includes an endless belt, a plurality of support rotators, a pair of supports, and a stopper. The endless belt is wound around the plurality of support rotators. The pair of supports extend in a direction intersecting an axial direction of each of the plurality of support rotators. The pair of supports are disposed opposite to and spaced away from each other, to rotatably support both ends of each of the plurality of support rotators in the axial direction. The stopper is disposed at at least one end of at least one support rotator of the plurality of support rotators and outside from a corresponding one support of the pair of supports in the axial direction, to restrict movement of the corresponding one support in the axial direction. | 06-30-2016 |
20160187841 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a first coupling rotatable, the first coupling being provided at a side surface of the engaging portion with a taper surface having a diameter which increases in the first direction from a free end portion toward a driving source; and a unit detachably mountable in a second direction crossing with the first direction, the unit including a second coupling, a driven member and a releasing member. The second coupling includes at an end portion thereof a portion-to-be-engaged engageable with the engaging portion to transmit the driving force, the driven member receives the driving force from the second coupling, and when the unit is disengaged from the main assembly, the releasing member is moved in the second direction in contact with the taper surface to move the first coupling away from the second coupling to effect disengagement between the engaging portion and the portion-to-be-engaged. | 06-30-2016 |
20160202640 | BELT MODULE AND BELT MEMBER EXCHANGING METHOD | 07-14-2016 |
20180024472 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE | 01-25-2018 |
20180024473 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS | 01-25-2018 |