Abstract: An optical reading device includes a housing, a document platen member, a scanning unit, a cable and an insulating sheet. The cable includes a first end which is fixed to the scanning unit, a second end which is fixed to the bottom plate and an intermediate portion which is held in surface contact with the bottom plate and curved and deformed according to a reciprocal movement of the scanning unit. The insulating sheet is interposed between the bottom plate and the intermediate portion of the cable. The housing includes a recess formed in the bottom plate. The insulating sheet covers an opening of the recess, the upper surface thereof is in contact with the intermediate portion of the cable and a space is formed between the lower surface of the insulating sheet and the bottom surface of the recess.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a lens holding unit includes a laser diode to irradiate laser beam, a lens through which the laser beam passes, a sheet metal having a bottom surface to hold a bottom portion of the lens and a sidewall which uprises from the bottom surface at a right angle and holds a side portion of the lens, and a first resin member fixed to the bottom surface of the sheet metal to hold a side portion at the other side of the lens which is held on the sheet metal.

Abstract: An optical device includes an optical component that reflects or shapes a light beam. In a particular embodiment, the optical device can include a bending moment generating structure that generates a bending moment in a supported portion of the optical component. The optical device can also include an adjusting mechanism that adjusts the bowing amount of the optical component by adjusting the bending moment of the bending moment generating structure.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductive body on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; an exposure member which has a plurality of blinking sections and which exposes the photoconductive body; a support frame which is made of resin and which supports the exposure member; a roller shaft which is made of metal and provided on the support frame; a roller which is made of resin, which is rotatably provided on the roller shaft and which maintains a spacing distance between the exposure member and the photoconductive body; and a metal plate which supports and is electrically connected to the roller shaft and which is electrically grounded. With the image forming apparatus, it is possible to solve a problem caused when the roller shaft is electrically floated, and to suitably arrange parts or components around the roller shaft.

Abstract: A layered structure is provided with a recording unit, a reading unit whose back edge is connected to the recording unit via a pivot member, a support member having (i) a connecting portion that is connected pivotally to the reading unit, (ii) a contact portion that contacts a counterface surface of the recording unit facing the reading unit, and (iii) a support column that positions the contact portion at a position a certain distance from the connecting portion, a biased member that is biased against the support member in a forward direction, and a stopping portion formed on the counterface surface to stop the contact portion contacting the counterface surface from being displaced along the counterface surface.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a main body casing, a cover configured to be openable and closable with respect to the main body casing, a sensing unit configured to sense an opening-closing operation of the cover, a forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet, a detecting unit configured to perform a detecting operation to detect a deviation of an image forming position of the image to be formed by the forming unit, an accepting unit configured to accept a print request, and a control unit configured to control the detecting unit to perform the detecting operation in response to the print request being accepted when the sensing unit senses an opening-closing operation of the cover after execution of a previous detecting operation, and thereafter to control the forming unit to form the image in the image forming position corrected to cancel the deviation detected in the detecting operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit an original reading unit and a guide mechanism. The image forming unit includes a sheet supply unit; a transportation roller for transporting a medium from the sheet supply unit; an image drum unit for forming a toner image on a photosensitive drum; a transfer belt unit for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum to the medium; a fixing device for fixing the toner image to the medium; and a stacker for placing the medium. The original reading unit includes an original stage for placing an original; a scanner unit disposed below the original stage; and a transportation unit for transporting the original to the original stage and a sheet discharge unit. The guide mechanism includes a pair of guide walls integrally formed at upper edges of the image forming unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body frame; an image formation section contained in the main body frame that forms an image on a recording medium; an ejection mechanism contained in the main body frame that ejects the recording medium on which an image has been formed to an ejection section on the upper surface of the main body frame; an image scanning device mounted on the ejection section that scans the image of a document; and an operation section provided on the upstream side in the ejection direction of the recording medium in the ejection section that operates the image scanning device; wherein sides and the backside of the ejection section being opened viewed from the operation section side.

Abstract: A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a drum that rotates while holding a medium on its outer periphery, a head that ejects a fluid on to the medium held on the periphery of the drum, a fixing section that fixes the fluid ejected on to the medium by the head, a measuring section that measures a diameter of the drum, and a controller that varies an ejection timing of the fluid ejected from the head in accordance with variation in the diameter of the drum measured by the measuring section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include a first casing and a second casing above the first casing. The second casing is provided with an upper surface including a generally horizontal surface, a lower surface extending beyond the upper surface in a generally horizontal direction and a side surface connecting an end edge of the upper surface and an end edge of the lower surface with each other over the whole area. The first casing is provided with an upper surface coming into contact with the lower surface of the second casing over the whole area and a side surface including a generally vertical surface. An inclined surface connecting the generally vertical surface of the first casing and the generally horizontal surface of the second casing with each other, is provided continuously along the first casing and the second casing.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a control method for an exposure shutter of an image forming apparatus includes, opening the shutter only to a slit glass for monochrome when monochrome printing is performed, and opening the shutter to slit glasses for monochrome and color when color printing is performed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include a casing including an image forming section, an ejecting section provided above the image forming section and an image scanning section provided above the ejecting section, formed with an ejecting port communicating with the ejecting section; and an operating section. A side surface of the casing closer to the ejecting port includes a generally vertical surface and an upper surface of the casing includes a generally horizontal surface. The casing is provided with an inclined surface inclined along a direction intersecting with the generally vertical surface and the generally horizontal surface for connecting the generally vertical surface and the generally horizontal surface with each other, and the ejecting port is formed on the inclined surface, while the operating section is arranged above the ejecting port on the inclined surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is described. The image forming apparatus may include a first casing and a second casing above the first casing. The second casing is provided with an upper surface including a generally horizontal surface, a lower surface extending beyond the upper surface in a generally horizontal direction and a side surface connecting an end edge of the upper surface and an end edge of the lower surface with each other over the whole area. The first casing is provided with an upper surface coming into contact with the lower surface of the second casing over the whole area and a side surface including a generally vertical surface. An inclined surface connecting the generally vertical surface of the first casing and the generally horizontal surface of the second casing with each other, is provided continuously along the first casing and the second casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for image formation is disclosed which includes an imaging device forming images on record media; a housing defining a front face, a rear face, both side faces, a top face and a bottom face, to thereby house the imaging device; a recessed portion configured so as to be openable at selected at least one of the front face, the both side faces and the top face of the housing; and an attachment mechanism allowing a data-storable external storage device to be attached to the apparatus for electrical connection thereto, the attachment mechanism being in a position allowing the external storage device, when attached to the attachment mechanism, to be accommodated within the recessed portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body frame; an image formation section contained in the main body frame that forms an image on a recording medium; an ejection mechanism contained in the main body frame that ejects the recording medium on which an image has been formed to an ejection section on the upper surface of the main body frame; an image scanning device mounted on the ejection section that scans the image of a document; and an operation section provided on the upstream side in the ejection direction of the recording medium in the ejection section that operates the image scanning device; wherein sides and the backside of the ejection section being opened viewed from the operation section side.

Abstract: The exposure apparatus is provided with: an optical member; and a holding member that holds the optical member. Both end portions of the optical member are held by the holding member with a first adhering unit that is cured by light irradiation for first duration and a second adhering unit that is cured by light irradiation for second duration which is longer than the first duration.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member; and an exposure member having a light emitting element, the exposure member exposing the photosensitive member at an exposure position opposed to an opposed position on the photosensitive member to form the electrostatic latent image, the exposure member being movable between the exposure position and a retreated position retreating from the exposure position, wherein the exposure member includes a dust-proof wall protruding more than a light-emitting surface of the exposure member and a positioning member positioning the exposure member with respect to the photosensitive member at the exposure position, and wherein the dust-proof wall and the positioning member are integrally formed.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a frame, a light source, an optical member, and a spacer. The light source emits a light beam. The optical member is mounted on the frame to guide the light beam to a scanning target. The spacer maintains the optical member at a predetermined position with respect to the frame. The spacer is formed of a photocurable resin that is cured in response to a predetermined light having a wavelength within a prescribed range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit to form an image on a print medium, the image forming apparatus including a guide shaft, first and second shaft insertion members into which the guide shaft is inserted, a unit main body including first and second insertion holes provided along the guide shaft and whose diameters larger than external diameters of the first and second shaft insertion members, respectively, and an adhesive to adhere the first and second shaft insertion members inserted into the first and second insertion holes, to the unit main body.

Abstract: An image forming device having an image reading section which is supported in a cantilevered state with a space between the image reading section and a top surface of an image forming section, the image forming device including: a housing of the image forming section; and a first supporting body fixed to a side surface of the housing and supporting the image reading section, wherein the first supporting body has: a first supporting portion fixed to the side surface of the housing and supporting the image reading section; and a second supporting portion extending from the first supporting portion in a same direction as the image reading section which is supported in the cantilevered state, and a receiving portion, which fixes the second supporting portion, and is provided at the side surface of the housing.

Abstract: A paper stacking unit and an image forming apparatus having the same, the paper stacking unit including: a base frame supporting a print media, a cover pivotally connected to the base frame and supporting the print media together with the base frame, and a plate connected to the cover for auxiliarily supporting the print media.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a light source, a deflector that deflects a light beam from the light source, a first optical system that guides the light beam to the deflector, a second optical system that guides the light beam from the deflector to a surface to be scanned, and a housing that holds the light source and the deflector. At least one optical element included in the first optical system or the second optical system is attached to the housing via an intermediate member. The optical element is adjustable with respect to the intermediate member. The number of directions in which the optical element can be adjusted is two or more.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image holder; an exposure member that has an exposure portion exposing the image holder; a first positioning unit that determines a distance in a first direction, which is a direction of an optical axis of the exposure member, between the exposure member and the image holder; and a second positioning unit that determines a position of the exposure member with respect to the image holder in a second direction being a direction of an axis line of the image holder, and a position of the exposure member with respect to the image holder in a third direction being perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, and that determines the distance between the exposure member and the image holder at a position substantially closer to the exposure member than the position of the first positioning unit.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source, a polygon mirror, an optical member, a casing, and an exit hole cover. The light source emits a light beam. The polygon mirror rotates and deflects the light beam to be scanned in a scanning direction. The optical member focuses the light beam deflected by the polygon mirror onto a scanning target. The casing houses the polygon mirror and the optical member and includes a first wall portion having a wall inner surface opposing the polygon mirror and the optical member and a wall outer surface opposing the scanning target. The first wall portion is formed with an exit hole through which the light beam is irradiated toward the scanning target. The exit hole cover is formed of a light transmissible member and is disposed on the wall outer surface to cover the exit hole.

Abstract: An optical scanning unit irradiates a polygon mirror with a plurality of light beams emitted from a light source according to image data, and scans and exposes a plurality of photoreceptors with the plurality of light beams as scanning lights. The optical scanning unit comprises a primary optical system unit including an optical system that emits the plurality of light beams, which are emitted from the light source toward the polygon mirror, and a secondary optical system unit including an optical system that emits the light beams, which are reflected by the polygon mirror toward the photoreceptors. The arrangement is such that the primary optical system unit is fitted removably to the secondary optical system unit, and that a combined unit of the primary optical system unit and the secondary optical system unit is removably fitted to an image forming apparatus having the photoreceptors.

Abstract: An optical component bowing device is configured to include a bending moment generating structure that generates a bending moment in a supported portion of an optical component that reflects or shapes a light beam.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a photoconductor, adapted such that an electrostatic latent image is formed thereon and extending in a first direction; and an optical scanner, operable to emit a light beam to expose the photoconductor while scanning in the first direction, wherein: the photoconductor and the optical scanner define a space therebetween; and the space allows air to flow therethrough in the first direction.

Abstract: An exposing device includes a light source that emits scanning light, a polygonal rotating mirror that scans and deflects the scanning light in a specific scanning direction, a reflection mirror that reflects the scanning light that has been scanned and deflected at plural reflection points aligned in a specific direction for the scanning light to go incident on the image carrier, and a unit main body in which the polygonal rotating mirror and the reflection mirror are disposed at a specific interval. The unit main body has two attachment fixing portions on almost a same line linking the reflection points and fixed to the apparatus main body. An attachment support is supported on the apparatus main body and allows free expansion of the unit main body in a plane direction including the scanning direction of the polygonal rotating mirror on a side where the polygonal rotating mirror is installed.

Abstract: An image-forming device has cylindrical image-carrying members, and an optical scanning unit. The cylindrical image-carrying members are in a main casing for rotating about respective rotational axes which are parallel to one another and juxtaposed in a single direction. The optical scanning unit is in the main casing and has laser generators, a rotatable polygon mirror, mirrors, and lenses. The laser generators have a one-to-one relationship to the image-carrying members to emit laser beams. The rotatable polygon mirror deflects the respective laser beams to scan the respective image-carrying members. The mirrors have a one-to-one relationship to the image-carrying members to guide the respective laser beams along respective optical paths to the respective image-carrying members. The lenses have a one-to-one relationship to the plurality of image-carrying members provided in the respective optical paths and between the respective mirrors and the respective image-carrying members.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising a pair of stationary side walls arranged in an image forming apparatus body and a plurality of photosensitive drum units supported between the stationary side walls. Each photosensitive drum unit comprises a drum-holding frame for holding a photosensitive drum, a head-holding frame for holding an LED head, and a pressing means for pressing the head-holding frame from one side toward the other side in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: An image forming unit is provided in which, through making a distance limiting member to limit a distance between an exposing unit and an image carrying body be able to contact and separate with respect to the image carrying body by a contact/separation enabling section, it is eliminated that developer remaining on the surface of the image carrying body coagulates on the distance limiting member, so it is eliminated that the surface of the image carrying body is scraped by the developer, and that a bad print occurs. The image forming unit has an image carrying body exposed by an exposing unit, a distance limiting member to limit a distance between the exposing unit and the image carrying body. The distance limiting member is installed capable of contacting with and separating from the image carrying body by a contact/separation enabling section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an electrostatic latent image carrier, and an optical writing device including at least one light source, at least one aperture, at least one light shield, a light deflector, an image forming lens, and a housing. The aperture adjusts a light beam generated by the light source into a reference shape. The light shield shields an optical path formed between the light source and the aperture by the light beam. The light deflector deflects the light beam to scan in a main scanning direction. The image forming lens focuses the deflected light beam to scan on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier. The housing contains the light source, the light deflector, and the image forming lens. The housing is integrally molded with the aperture and the light shield.

Abstract: An exposure device for exposing the charged surface of a photoconductive drum is provided with a light source for emitting light based on image information; a rotary multifaceted mirror for reflecting the light emitted from the light source to scan the surface of the photoconductive drum; a driving mechanism for drivingly rotating the rotary multifaceted mirror; an inner casing for covering at least the driving mechanism and the rotary multifaceted mirror; and an outer casing for covering the inner casing from the outside. An air vent for communicating the inside and outside of the inner casing is formed in a part of the inner casing facing the rotary multifaceted mirror.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries a latent image; an exposure device, which includes a light source and an optical member, for focusing, on the image carrier, light emitted by the light source that is used to form a latent image on the image carrier; and a developing device, for developing the latent image. A dust prevention member that contacts the image carrier is arranged for the exposure device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main body including an opening; a plurality of process units which are arranged in the main body in an arrangement direction with a gap therebetween; a plurality of exposure units which are arranged in the arrangement direction alternately with the process units; a cover which is rotatable about a rotation shaft to open and close the opening; and a plurality of support members which connect the exposure units to the cover and which allow the exposure units to be retreated from the process units with the opening and closing of the cover. The process units are disposed at positions where the process units contact with the exposure units moved with the opening and closing of the cover and at least contact portions thereof contacting with the exposure units are movable by pressing forces of the exposure units.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first support member, an image carrying member configured to carry a toner image thereon, and an optical writing apparatus connected to the first support member and configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrying member. The optical writing apparatus includes an optical system having at least one optical element, a first casing configured to support the optical system, and a second casing configured to encase the first casing and to prevent intrusion of dust to the optical system.

Abstract: A writing device to write an image onto a photoconductor, including a print head having plural LEDs, a first supporting member, having a position determining section to determine the position of the print head, and an adjustment screw, and a second supporting member, having a reference shaft which comes into contact with the first supporting member and movably supports the first supporting member while moving to or separating from the photoconductor, and a pressuring member which presses the first supporting member against the reference shaft, wherein the second supporting member is engaged with the first supporting member by the adjustment screw, whereby when the adjustment screw is rotated, the print head is shifted along with the first supporting member, and a first direction joining the position determining section and the adjustment screw makes a right angle with a second direction joining the adjustment screw and the reference shaft.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus (1) utilizing electrophotographic technology, position and posture of a laser scan unit (5) with respect top a frame (13) is adjusted easily without cost rise and upsizing of the apparatus. Semicircular recesses (53) and an elongate hole (54) are formed at each of three fixing portions (52a, 52b and 52c) in the vicinities of side faces (51b) and a rear face (51c) of a housing (51) of the laser scan unit (5), and an adjuster 30 serving as a spacer is attached to each of the fixing portions (52a, 52b and 52c). Each adjuster (30) is elected among a plurality of kinds of adjustors respectively having different thicknesses manufactured by press working of metal plates commercially produced and having different thicknesses with using the same dies. The adjustor has a pair of semicircular engaging portions 30b and a coupling portion 30a perpendicular to and coupling the engaging portions (30b).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an adjusting mechanism that adjusts an interval between an LED head writing an optical image on a photoreceptor and a photoreceptor drum to a reference interval (A), and the adjusting mechanism includes a regulating member attached to the LED head. In the adjustment of the interval between the LED head and the photoreceptor drum, the LED head and the regulating member are integrally moved until the regulating member comes into contact with the photoreceptor drum. The interval between the LED head and the photoreceptor drum is (A-B) at this point. The LED head and the regulating member are moved in the direction opposite to the photoreceptor drum by a distance (B). As a result, the interval between the LED head and the photoreceptor drum is set to the reference interval (A).

Abstract: An image-forming device includes: a housing; an endless belt; a plurality of process units; and a plurality of scanner units. Each scanner unit and each process unit are inclined obliquely to a vertical direction. At least a part of each process unit is inserted into and removed from the housing in an obliquely inclined direction.

Abstract: A device for positioning an object in an opening of a frame in a predetermined position with respect to a plane extending in the direction of the plane of the frame (plane X-Y), wherein the object includes a first spherical segment at a first side and a second spherical segment at a second side situated opposite the first side, wherein at least one positioning means which, after placing the object, exerts a force with a component in the radial and tangential direction on the object at the first spherical segment, the tangential component reaching a minimum in the situation in which the object is situated in the predetermined position, and a recess in which the second spherical segment can be pressed by the positioning means.

Abstract: In unit chassis 30 in which optical instruments are mounted, three of main fixing members 31, 32 and 33 formed in the reinforced reinforcing areas or in the contiguous areas thereof, as well as sunsidiary fixing member 34 connected to said main fixing members by flexible member 35, are provided, and unit chassis 30 is fixed by said fixing members in more than four places. The polygon mirror as a vibration source is mounted in the position 9x that are inside of a triangle PO formed by three of main fixing members 31, 32 and 33 or in the vicinity thereof. In this case, high-reinforcing area P2 reinforced more than any other area is formed between said position 9x and the position 8x of deflecting mirror for reflecting the scanned beam light. Main fixing members 31 and 32 among three of main fixing members are formed in two places having the high-reinforcing area between them.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a structure in which the positioning accuracy of the optical instruments related to image processing are hardly influenced from the condition of the installation surface of the apparatus body. Near the edges of floor plate 60 forming the undersurface of the body of image processing apparatus A, four legs 61, 62, 63a, and 63b are provided in a protruding manner in three points forming generally a triangle, and optical unit X1 in which the optical instruments are mounted is supported by vertical positioning plate 6a or horizontal positioning plate 6a, which are a part of the apparatus body's structure, in three points forming a triangle in the same direction as the triangle formed by Legs 61, 62, and 63 in three points when viewed from underneath, and then, these three points are arranged in the position near each of the three points provided with legs 61, 62, and 63 when viewed from underneath.

Abstract: An image forming device, comprising: a cylindrical rotatable photoreceptor rotatably supported by an apparatus body; an exposure device in which plural exposure heads which expose an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable photoreceptor are disposed in a common housing in such a manner that exposure sections thereof are consecutively positioned; and a supporting unit having a position adjusting mechanism for adjusting a posture of the exposure device in at least two locations, which supports the exposure device and which is fixed on the apparatus body.

Abstract: The color image forming apparatus comprises a transfer belt device which feeds a transfer member such as a paper and a plurality of image forming units. The image forming units are disposed facing towards the transfer belt device. The transfer belt device, at least in a portion in which the image forming units have been disposed, is arranged such that it is inclined with respect to the ground. Each of the image forming unit forms a desired image and sequentially transfers the formed image on the transfer member fed by the transfer belt device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes LED heads protected from scratching. An optical head is mounted on an inner side of a lid pivotally mounted to a body of the apparatus. A protector is mounted to the lid. A mechanism is operatively coupled to the lid such that when the lid is positioned at an open position, the protector is at a protection position where the protector covers a light-emitting surface of the optical head and when the lid is positioned at a closed position, the protector is at an exposure position where the protector does not cover the light-emitting surface of the optical head. When the lid is pivoted from the closed position to a position at which the lid forms an angle with the body, the mechanism begins to cause the protector to move from the exposure position toward the protection position.

Abstract: A mirror positioning structure of a reflection mirror for correcting skew and bow and a laser scanning unit employing the same are provided. The mirror positioning structure includes a mirror holder, a fixing member, and a positioning cap. The mirror holder has a reflection mirror on one side and a guide bar disposed on the other side. The fixing member has a guide hole through which the guide bar passes, and the mirror holder is fixed on one surface of the fixing member. The positioning cap is disposed on the other surface of the fixing member and contacts the guide bar. The position cap has an inclined surface for contacting the guide bar to move the guide bar up and down inside the guide hole.

Abstract: A supporting structure and a Business machine utilizing the same. The business machine includes a main body, cover and supporting structure therebetween. The sleeve connected to the main body has a guiding groove with a lug portion. The connecting rod is connected to the cover and movably disposed in the sleeve. The connecting rod has a cantilever with a hook portion confined in the guiding groove. The guiding groove has a predetermined profile, such that the cover is lifted before closing, protecting the main body from accidental collision.

Abstract: An optical alignment method is for an optical module including a housing unit, a light-sensing unit, and a lens unit. The method includes: (a) through image-capturing techniques, finding a light-sensing component of the light-sensing unit and a predetermined reference point, and determining an actual total optical path length between the light-sensing component and an object position; (b) subtracting a correction distance from the actual total optical path length to obtain a corrected total optical path length; (c) finding a first center line that divides the corrected total optical path length in half; (d) through image-capturing techniques, finding opposite first and second edges of the lens unit, and determining a lens length between the first and second edges; (e) finding a second center line that divides the lens length in half; and (f) assembling the lens unit to the housing unit such that the first and second center lines overlap.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes first and second end covers, first and second bottom-surface portions to be guided by first and second main assembly guide portions, first, second, and third portions to be positioned by first, second, and third main assembly positioning portions, and a driving force receiving portion partly exposed through the first end cover between the first and third portions to be positioned and engaging with a main assembly driving force transmitting portion to rotate a process-cartridge developing member when the process cartridge is mounted to the apparatus.