Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a pressure application mechanism portion is provided with a pressure-varying link structure arranged so as to be movable in lateral directions along an upper end portion of a device frame, a drive shaft having an eccentric cam for moving the pressure-varying link structure in the lateral directions, a shaft holding structure arranged so as to be rotatable coupled to the pressure-varying link structure, and a coil spring for applying a biasing force to the shaft holding structure in one direction along the upper end portion of the device frame, and a rotational movement is carried out to make a pressure roller approach and move away from a heat roller so as to achieve a relatively low pressure during a color processing mode and a relatively high pressure during a monochrome processing mode.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a first and second rotating member configured to selectively rotate between an open position and a closed position, and a first and second actuator configured to rotate in sync with the first rotating member and the second rotating member, respectively. The image processing device also includes a light sensor including a light emitter configured to emit a light, and a light receptor positioned opposite the light emitter. The light receptor is configured to receive the light from the light emitter, and a space is formed between the light emitter and the light receptor. In addition, the first actuator is selectively positioned within the space and outside of the space based on the position of the first rotating member, and the second actuator is selectively positioned within the space and outside of the space based on the position of the second rotating member.

Abstract: According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided methods of optimizing contact forces between transfer and photoreceptor belts in image forming devices. The method acquires initial and operational set point data for the photoreceptor and transfer belt at different stages of engagement. Yaw motion is applied to reduce any misalignment between the belts based on the acquired data. A processor is used to determine misalignment between the photoreceptor belt and the transfer belt, and an actuator can be used to apply yaw motion. The yaw motion can return the transfer belt and the photoreceptor belt to their initial set position, or return a steering subsystem actuator to its setting prior to engagement of the belts. Set point data can be from the respective transfer steering subsystem for the photoreceptor and the transfer belts.

Abstract: When a printing process on a first apparatus is interrupted due to an error and the printing process is resumed by a second apparatus, it is determined whether a predetermined function (for example, stapling) is selected for the printing process according to the printing mode. If the predetermined function is selected for the printing process, the second printing apparatus prints the number of copies including the copy interrupted in the first machine according to the print setting. If the predetermined function is not selected for the printing process, the second printing apparatus prints the number of copies excluding the interrupted copy and the unprinted pages in the interrupted copy according to the print setting.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus including: a plurality of drum-type photoconductors for forming an image in a different color on each peripheral surface and the photoconductors having at least two different diameters; a plurality of driving sections for driving each photoconductor at a driving speed in accordance with the diameter so that each photoconductor rotates at a predetermined peripheral speed; a correction signal output section for outputting a speed correction signal to correct a periodic pitch fluctuation included in each formed image; and a drive control section for controlling the driving section to correct the driving speed of each photoconductor by the speed correction signal, wherein the speed correction signal is a signal having the same cycle as a rotational cycle of each photoconductor.

Abstract: The image forming device of the present invention is able to be configured such that it has an image carrier that carries electrostatic latent image, a rotary type developing unit having a plurality of developing machines that stores toner in the interior thereof and is able to develop the electrostatic latent image by providing toner on the image carrier, and a control unit that is configured to execute a toner discharge process that discharges a portion of toner in the interior of a developing machine mentioned after rotating the developing unit, during a time that an image is not being formed and after a single color image formation using only a developing machine out of the plurality of developing machines.

Abstract: In a developing apparatus provided with a developer container containing a developer, a rotary member holding the developer container and rotatively moving it relative to a developing position, an opening portion provided in the developer container and through which the developer is supplied or discharged, a valve swingable to open and close the opening portion, and a restricting wall restricting the movement of the valve in an opening direction by contacting with the valve when the valve is in an opened position, an irregularity portion is provided on at least one of the contact surface of the valve with the restricting wall and the contact surface of the restricting wall with the valve.

Abstract: A delaying section for obtaining from an image processing section a printing rate of image data used for forming a toner image, and delaying in accordance with the obtained printing rate a start timing of a toner image forming by the toner image forming section. The delaying section does not delay the start timing of the present toner image forming by the toner image forming section in the case where the when a printing rate of image data for the preceding toner image forming and a printing rate of image data for the present toner image forming are the same. In the case where the printing rates are different from each other, the delaying section delays the start timing for the present toner image a predetermined delaying time, the predetermined delaying time being predetermined in accordance with a printing rate of image data determined for the present toner image forming.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus (10) includes image bearing members (20) having respective peripheral surfaces and arranged sequentially so that toner images of toners having different colors are formed on the peripheral surfaces, respectively, an endless belt (30) having a surface and so rotated that the toner images are sequentially transferred to the surface or a sheet (P) conveyed on the surface, transferring members (40) for transferring the toner images to the surface of the endless belt (30) or the sheet (P). The downstream-most image bearing member (20) from which the toner image is last transferred to the surface of the endless belt (30) or the sheet (P) is arranged so that a contact pressure of the downstream-most image bearing member (20) against the endless belt (30) becomes higher than contact pressures of the other image bearing members (20) against the endless belt (30).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member; a first rotatable developer carrying member for carrying a magnetic one component developer to a first developing position to develop a latent image on the image bearing member; a second rotatable developer carrying member, provided downstream of the first developer carrying member with respect to a rotational direction of the image bearing member, for carrying the magnetic one component developer to a second developing position to develop a latent image on the image bearing member. The second developer carrying member is rotatable in the same rotational direction as the first developer carrying member. The image forming apparatus further includes, a first magnetic member provided in the first developer carrying member and having a plurality of magnetic poles, and a second magnetic member provided in the second developer carrying member, also having a plurality of magnetic poles.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a device main body, a drum unit, a stud which is fixed to a frame of the device main body, and a drum drive transmitting gear which is supported by the stud such that the drum drive transmitting gear can axially rotate. The drum unit includes a unit frame and a photoconductive drum which is supported on the unit frame such that the photoconductive drum can axially rotate. The photoconductive drum has a driven transmission gear at one end. When the drum unit is inserted into the device main body, the drum drive transmitting gear and the driven transmission gear are engaged with each other, and an end portion of the stud can be inserted into and received by an engaging hole of the unit frame of the drum unit.

Abstract: A fixing device has a roller pair; a cover for defining a forward transport path, and a backward transport path for transporting a sheet discharged from the roller pair back to an image former for forming toner images on both sides of the sheet. A sheet detection arm has opposite ends extending respectively in the forward and backward transport paths. A first shaft in the cover is mounted to a center of pivotal movement of the sheet detection arm and extends orthogonal to the sheet transport direction. A secondary shaft transmits rotation of the first shaft when the cover is closed, but not when the cover is opened. A sensor detects whether the sheet is being transported forward or backward based on rotation of the second shaft. The sheet detection arm pivots out of the backward transport path in response to opening of the cover.