Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable on a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus a laser beam emitter, a laser shutter, and a mover. The process cartridge includes a cartridge frame; an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a process device acting to the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a first contact part provided on the cartridge frame to determine the position of the process cartridge relative to the main assembly of the apparatus by contacting a fixing member provided on the main assembly of the apparatus in mounting the process cartridge to the main assembly of the apparatus; and a second contact part provided on the cartridge frame adjacent to the first contact part and contacting with the mover to move the laser shutter from the shutting position to the opening position in mounting step of the process cartridge to the main assembly of the apparatus.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser recording apparatus wherein problems such as difficulty in maintenance and effects of shock owing to the laser recording unit of a vertically divided type laser recording apparatus being provided as a single unit, are solved. This laser recording apparatus comprises: a first main unit; a second main unit rotatably supported to the first main unit by a predetermined fulcrum, so as to enable opening and closing; wherein the first main unit is provided with a first unit having optical means, laser beam emitting means, and laser beam detecting means, and wherein the second main unit is provided with a second unit having laser scanning means.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a small-size image forming apparatus in which a plurality of light emitting element arrays are easily aligned with each other at high accuracy. Each of light emitting element arrays of Y, M, C, K comprises a plurality of LED elements arranged in a straight line and is driven by a color image signal of each color. On the reference plate disposed on the support are arranged head substrates having light emitting element arrays of each color in such a manner that the light emitting element arrays are nearly in parallel with each other. On a peripheral surface of each photosensitive drum, an electrostatic latent image forming position is established where an electrostatic image is formed by receiving light from each of the light emitting element arrays, and toner of the specified color is supplied to the specified electrostatic latent image forming apparatus by each developing device.

Abstract: A laser scanner tilt adjusting apparatus for a printer includes a guide rail formed at the internal surface of a frame on which a laser scanner is mounted, for forming an admittance path of the laser scanner, a plurality of guide rollers installed at either side of the laser scanner so as to slide along the guide rail, a plurality of elevating blocks elevatably installed on the guide rail, for supporting the bottom surfaces of the guide rollers when the laser scanner is completely inserted into the frame, and an elevating mechanism for raising and lowering the plurality of elevating blocks to adjust the tilt of the laser scanner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a single support member, an upper body and a lower body. The single support member is positioned between the upper body and lower body and connected at a back lower portion of the lower body. The cumulative weight of the upper body is aligned, to a significant degree, over the location where the support member pushes against the upper body. As a consequence the upper body is conveniently moved away from the lower body when opened, and the gap between the upper body and lower body is free of obstructions so as to facility an operator's ability to perform a maintenance action.

Abstract: A color copy machine is equipped with four image forming sections for forming images of different color components based on image data items relating to separated color components. A conveyance belt is provided below each image forming section. To avoid forming of a displaced image on a recording paper sheet P conveyed by the conveyance belt, pattern data for prevention of a displaced image is synthesized with image data. Each image forming section forms color patterns on predetermined portions of the conveyance belt on the basis of the synthesized data. The main-scanning directional displacement of each color pattern can be detected by comparing the numbers of those sensed line segments of the patterns which are sensed by a sensor. Then, the image forming positions are adjusted so that the numbers of the sensed line segments will be equal to each other.

Abstract: A module connecting mechanism of an electrophotographic apparatus includes an engine module having an electrophotographic process section, a supplying module for supplying a transfer sheet to the electrophotographic process section, and a conductive module connecting mechanism for connecting an installation section of the supplying module with an installation section of the engine module electrically. A common plane extending substantially in parallel with the direction of connecting the supplying module with the engine module is formed over the supplying module and the engine module in order to connect the supplying module and the engine module at the installation portions electrically, wherein the engine module is superposed on the supplying module.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes traveling means for traveling in the recording directions by holding it for recording on a recording medium, guiding means for guiding the traveling means, and reading means detachably held by the guiding means. This printing apparatus further includes electrical connectors provided for the reading means and printing apparatus, respectively, for electrically connecting them, which are arranged to be installed or removed simultaneously by the operation of mounting the reading means on or demounting it from the guiding means, and also, detecting means for detecting a state of the reading means being mounted on the printing apparatus, controlling means for holding the power-supply to the traveling means and recovery means for recovering the performance of the recording means in a state of being cut off in accordance with the detection of the detecting means when the reading means is mounted on the printing apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photoreceptor drum; a charger for charging an outer surface of the photoreceptor drum; image exposure devices each for exposing the photoreceptor drum to form a latent image thereon, wherein the image exposure devices are provided inside the photoreceptor drum, and are detachably mountable with the photoreceptor drum to the image forming apparatus; a developing device for developing the latent image to form a toner image on the outer surface of the photoreceptor drum; and a supporting member on which the image exposure devices are mounted, wherein the supporting member and the photoreceptor drum are connected through bearing members on both ends of the photoreceptor drum, and the supporting member has an engaging portion for engaging with a part of the image forming apparatus to fix the image exposure devices through the supporting member, while the photoreceptor drum is rotated around the image exposure devices through the bearing members.

Abstract: A linear printhead is aligned across the direction of motion of a belt or web image member. The printhead is coupled to a roller supporting the belt which is castered about a caster axis. The castering of the roller causes it to align itself across the direction of motion of the image member. The printhead is responsive to this alignment of the roller for its own alignment.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a main body whose upper section is split into first and second split lid sections. The first and second split lid sections are arranged to be freely opened and closed. A transfer body and a fixing device are detachably installed in the first split lid section, while a developing device and an image carrying body are installed in the second split lid section. The image carrying body and the transfer body are brought out of contact with each other by opening at least one of the first and second split lid sections. The transfer body and a fixing member are caused to be rotatable by opening the first lid section. With this structure, it is possible to easily repair a paper jam and perform maintenance of the respective sections without increasing the installation space.

Abstract: In an image scanning system, a deflector is contained in a casing having a cover glass which transmits a scanning light beam deflected by the deflector. An air flow is formed in front of the cover glass to prevent dust adhesion.

Abstract: Toner is conserved in printer (1) under operator control by changing the final modulation for each bit in a bit map depending on whether the bit is an edge bit or an internal bit in the character being printed. Since only the final modulation is affected, processing speed and efficiency are not degraded. The operator can select various degrees of internal gray and internal white. Some levels of gray may be satisfactory for some final correspondence.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer for forming a multicolor toner image.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus wherein an image forming body has a inner surface and a outer surface, a charging device electrically charges the outer surface, and an exposure device imagewise exposes the inner surface. A developing device is used to form a first toner image on the outer surface. A unit is detachablly mounted in a housing of the apparatus, wherein the image forming body and a plurality of the exposure devices are provided in the unit.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus provided with plural charging devices, plural image exposure devices, and plural developing devices which are arranged around the outer circumference of a photoreceptor so that a color image is formed during a single rotation of the photoreceptor. The apparatus comprises a supporting cylinder for enclosing the photoreceptor and for supporting the plural image exposure devices thereon.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a conveying unit for conveying a recording sheet in a predetermined direction, a light-exposure unit for forming an image on an image-holding body by using light, which image-holding body rolls on the recording sheet by rotating around an axis parallel to the predetermined direction, so that the image on the image-holding body is transferred onto the recording sheet, and an adjustment unit for adjusting an angle of the light-exposure unit relative to the axis, so that the image on the image-holding body can be aligned with the axis.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus in which each of charging devices, image exposure devices and developing devices is provided in plural sets corresponding in number to plural different color components and placed in such an arrangement that the plural different color component toner images are superimposed on the image carrying member during a single rotation of the image carrying member, all of the plural image exposure means, and the image carrying member are constructed in a single body and is shiftable together in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the image carrying member from or to the working position of the image carrying member.

Abstract: A conveying unit conveys a recording sheet in a sheet conveying direction. A carriage includes a processing unit including an image carrier which is rotated about a rotational axis parallel to the sheet conveying direction. The processing unit forms a latent image on the image carrier by electrically charging and developing the latent image so as to produce a developed image. A transfer unit transfers the developed image on the image carrier to the recording sheet as a result of inserting the recording paper between the image carrier and said transfer unit as the carriage moves on the recording sheet in a carriage moving direction. A fixing unit fixes the developed image onto the recording sheet, and a supporting member rotatably supports the processing unit and the fixing unit. A moving unit moves the carriage in the carriage moving direction which is perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in accordance with the present invention is provided with a unit composed of members such as a photoreceptor drum and an optical system, the unit being attachably and detachably provided with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. With the arrangement, the replacement of the photoreceptor drum can be made at the user's end with ease. It is not necessary to carry out fine adjustments at the user's end for positioning the photoreceptor drum and optical system with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. Thus, professional skill is not required for the replacement of the photoreceptor drum, thereby resulting in that the operations such as maintenance can be effectively made. It is preferable that a cleaner is further provided for removing any contaminated materials adhering to the inner surface of the photoreceptor drum.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus based on the electrophotographic process, more particularly to the image forming apparatus having an exposure member inside of a photoreceptor member, which develops upon receiving light exposed with the exposure member. The image forming apparatus features to include the exposure member having a plurality of LED elements arrayed along a main scanning line of the photoreceptor member which is exposed with the LED elements in a time sharing manner by n bits unit, and the photoreceptor means having the photoconductive layer formed of amorphous silicon compounds for receiving the light. The photoreceptor member is electrified through brushing contact of the developer carried by the toner support member, and wherein the exposure portion of the exposure means is located in the developer brushing contact region.

Abstract: The field of the invention is an improved keying system for categorizing a consumable cartridge by using a two component system including a relatively long-lived portion and the relatively short-lived consumable cartridge. The improved system includes a lug element and a structure for mounting the lug element to the relatively long-lived portion, which may be the inner housing of a copier machine or other machine using consumable cartridges. Ideally, the lug element is self-fixturing into a void space. The consumable cartridge has portions defining a void into which the lug element projects when the consumable cartridge is inserted into the relatively long-lived portion for machine operations.

Abstract: A serial printer has a plurality of printing assemblies each comprising, a transport mechanism for transporting a recording sheet in a sheet transport direction, a process part, including an image bearing member with a rotary shaft which extends in a direction parallel to the sheet transport direction, for forming a latent image on the image bearing member by charging the image bearing member and developing the latent image into a developed image, a fixing unit, including a first fixing member, for fixing the developed image on the image bearing member onto the recording sheet by the first fixing member, at least one printing carriage movable in a carriage moving direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction and supporting the process part and the fixing unit, and a transfer unit for transferring the developed image formed on the image bearing member onto the recording sheet that is interposed between the transfer unit and the printing carriage.

Abstract: In a laser beam printer, printing information is sent from plural hosts and printing is carried out according to the printing information. A printing paper cassette detachment inhibition mechanism unit is provided on a printing paper cassette. The paper cassette detachment inhibition mechanism unit includes fixture grooves provided on the printing paper cassette and stop levers provided on a printing paper cassette mounting port. The printing paper cassette detachment inhibition mechanism unit inhibits the detachment of the printing paper cassette when the printing paper in the printing paper cassette has been selected for use by one of the hosts. A selected printing paper cassette display unit is provided on the laser beam printer and displays the selected printing paper cassette.

Abstract: In an LED head, a photosensitive drum is positioned with reference to an upper surface of a circuit board on which surface at least one light-emitting element is supported in order to accurately set the distance between the light-emitting element and a photosensitive drum. Further, clips and a spring are used to accurately set the distance between the light-emitting element and a lens and to simplify the process of production.

Abstract: A linear printhead writer assembly includes a linear source of radiation such as an LED printhead, and an elongated linear focusing device such as a linear lens array, and a support housing for supporting both the source of radiation and focusing device in a fixed relation with respect to each other and to an exposure locus. A positioning bar is supported by the support housing and engages a web image member to position the image member with respect to the exposure locus. The writer is preferably used with an image member having a radiation-sensitive layer on a side opposite the writer and is particularly adapted for exposing a charged image member already containing a toner image as part of a process to create a two-color image on the image member. The focusing device is held in the writer assembly by a coupling with a pair of end supports, each coupling allowing thermal expansion of the lens support and also isolating the lens support from vibration transmitted through the support housing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed, in which a photo-sensitive member is exposed by exposure means accommodated therein, and development is done substantially simultaneously with the exposure.Three time elements, that is, charging time constant C, i.e., time until reaching of a predetermined charging potential on of the photo-sensitive member in a brushing contact region between the photo-sensitive member and a toner holder after the start of charging, exposure time constant R, i.e., time until the charging potential is attenuated by the exposure to a latent image potential, and development time or time T, during which the photo-sensitive member passes by the brushing contact region, are appropriately determined.

Abstract: A xerographic serial printer includes a sheet feeding mechanism for feeding a recording sheet, a xerographic recording head for recording a toner image on a recording sheet, a carriage disposed below a sheet path for carrying the xerographic recording head such that the xerographic recording head records the image on a lower major surface of the recording sheet, a carriage actuation mechanism for driving the carriage along a recording sheet in a horizontal direction such that the xerographic recording head scans the lower major surface in the horizontal direction, a platen plate disposed above the recording sheet feed path in engagement with an upper major surface of the recording sheet, for causing a transfer of the toner image to the lower major surface of the recording sheet, and a fixing unit for fixing the toner image transferred to the lower major surface of the recording sheet by heating the toner image on the recording sheet.

Abstract: In order to prevent the eccentricity of a rotary shaft for rotatably supporting an image bearing member used with an image forming apparatus when the image bearing member is rotated, a projection is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft fitted into a fitting hole formed in a casing for securing the rotary shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus employing a face-down delivery system in which the plane of the recording medium at any position relative to any other position assumed by the recording medium beginning with a stacking tray and ending with a delivery tray does not exceed 90.degree.. The apparatus includes a detachable cartridge which includes a photosensitive member, a charging device and a cleaning device. In one preferred embodiment, register rollers and fixing rollers are positioned relative to each other such that a substantially zero angular deviation exists in the path traveled by the recording medium between these two pairs of rollers.