Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an apparatus main assembly; an image forming unit; a fixing unit which has a pressure applying mechanism and a cam member; an opening and closing member which is attached to the apparatus main assembly to be capable of being opened and closed; a first gear which is provided at the apparatus main assembly; a second gear which is provided at the fixing unit; and a connection gear which connects the first gear and the second gear. The connection gear is configured to be detachable from between the first gear and the second gear and to be attachable being engaged with both the first gear and the second gear only in a case that the first gear and the second gear are respectively at a predetermined phase.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an apparatus main assembly; an image forming unit; a fixing unit which has a pressure applying mechanism and a cam member; an opening and closing member which is attached to the apparatus main assembly to be capable of being opened and closed; a first gear which is provided at the apparatus main assembly; a second gear which is provided at the fixing unit; and a connection gear which connects the first gear and the second gear. The connection gear is configured to be detachable from between the first gear and the second gear and to be attachable being engaged with both the first gear and the second gear only in a case that the first gear and the second gear are respectively at a predetermined phase.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an apparatus main assembly; an image forming unit; a fixing unit which has a pressure applying mechanism and a cam member; an opening and closing member which is attached to the apparatus main assembly to be capable of being opened and closed; a first gear which is provided at the apparatus main assembly; a second gear which is provided at the fixing unit; and a connection gear which connects the first gear and the second gear. The connection gear is configured to be detachable from between the first gear and the second gear and to be attachable being engaged with both the first gear and the second gear only in a case that the first gear and the second gear are respectively at a predetermined phase.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: an apparatus main assembly; an image forming unit; a fixing unit which has a pressure applying mechanism and a cam member; an opening and closing member which is attached to the apparatus main assembly to be capable of being opened and closed; a first gear which is provided at the apparatus main assembly; a second gear which is provided at the fixing unit; and a connection gear which connects the first gear and the second gear. The connection gear is configured to be detachable from between the first gear and the second gear and to be attachable being engaged with both the first gear and the second gear only in a case that the first gear and the second gear are respectively at a predetermined phase.

Abstract: A sheet feed roller 10 includes a shaft member 12 and an elastomeric layer 14 provided on the outer circumference of the shaft member 12. The shaft member 12 includes a tubular support 16 and a pair of shaft sections 18 extending in the axial direction to define a rotary axis of the shaft member 12. The elastomeric layer 14 is formed of an elastic member separate from the shaft member 12, and attached to the outer circumference 16a to be conformed with the profile of the support 16 of the shaft member 12. The elastomeric layer 14 includes a base 20 and a plurality of micro-structured elements 22, each having a three-dimensionally projected shape, formed on the surface 20a of the base 20. Each of the plurality of micro-structured elements 22 on the elastomeric layer 14 is brought into frictional contact at a distal end thereof with the sheet medium and feed the same as the shaft member rotates.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes: a sheet containing device for housing sheets; a sheet feeding roller that feed the sheets contained in the sheet containing device; a pushing member for pushing the sheets contained in the sheet containing device against the sheet feeding roller; a separation pad which is provided so as to be capable of abutting against the sheet feeding roller and separates the sheets one by one as the sheets are fed by the sheet feeding roller and the pushing member; and a sheet guide portion arranged between a pushing portion where the sheets are pushed against the sheet feeding roller by the pushing member and an abutting portion where the sheet feeding roller and the separation pad come into abutment against each other. As a result, a sheet feeding apparatus with reduced noise can be realized. In addition, an image forming apparatus with silent operation can be realized by using the sheet feeding apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet operative member contacting a sheet and conveying with frictional force the sheet or separating the sheet, the sheet operative member comprising a plurality of protrusions on an operative surface with the sheet. Each of the protrusions includes a standing portion standing up from the operative surface and a spherical portion disposed at a distal end of the standing portion.

Abstract: A sheet feed roller 10 includes a shaft member 12 and an elastomeric layer 14 provided on the outer circumference of the shaft member 12. The shaft member 12 includes a tubular support 16 and a pair of shaft sections 18 extending in the axial direction to define a rotary axis of the shaft member 12. The elastomeric layer 14 is formed of an elastic member separate from the shaft member 12, and attached to the outer circumference 16a to be conformed with the profile of the support 16 of the shaft member 12. The elastomeric layer 14 includes a base 20 and a plurality of micro-structured elements 22, each having a three-dimensionally projected shape, formed on the surface 20a of the base 20. Each of the plurality of micro-structured elements 22 on the elastomeric layer 14 is brought into frictional contact at a distal end thereof with the sheet medium and feed the same as the shaft member rotates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet operative member contacting a sheet and conveying with frictional force the sheet or separating the sheet, the sheet operative member comprising a plurality of protrusions on an operative surface with the sheet. Each of the protrusions includes a standing portion standing up from the operative surface and a spherical portion disposed at a distal end of the standing portion.

Abstract: A frame structure usable in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material using a laser source, the apparatus includes a first wall; a second wall opposed to the first wall; first and second connecting members bridging between the first wall and the second wall; a scanner supporting member for supporting an optical device between the first connecting member and the second connecting member; a motor supporting member for supporting a motor between the scanner supporting member and the first wall; wherein the walls, connecting members, scanner supporting member and motor supporting member are integrally molded.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drive controlling apparatus used in a sheet supplying apparatus including a lift/lower sheet supporting device for supporting a sheet, a sheet supply mechanism for feeding out the sheet supported by the sheet supporting device, a biasing mechanism for biasing the sheet supporting device toward the sheet supply mechanism, and a separating mechanism for separating the sheet supporting device from the sheet supply mechanism in opposition to a biasing force of the biasing mechanism, and wherein the sheet urged against the sheet supply mechanism by the biasing mechanism is fed out by the sheet supply mechanism, said drive controlling apparatus adapted to transmit a driving force for operating the separating mechanism from a drive source and comprising a drive side device connected to the drive source, a driven side device connected to the separating mechanism, and a play setting device for providing a play for not transmitting the driving force within a predetermined range between

Abstract: A sheet to be fed by a sheet feed roller is loaded on a sheet feed tray, and a side regulating member is disposed so as to be movable in accordance with the sheet size in order to regulate the position of the loaded sheet in the direction of the sheet width. The side regulating member extends downstream from the sheet feed roller in the sheet feeding direction in order to regulate the position of the sheet in the direction of the sheet width, thereby preventing oblique movement of the sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus features a document-reading unit mounted to an exterior cover of the apparatus to which at least part of an image-forming unit can be removed from the interior of the apparatus. The exterior cover can be operated without being disturbed by a document-reading unit. Accordingly, attaching and detaching at least part of the image-forming unit readily can be performed. Further, according to another aspect, an image forming apparatus features a common delivery tray, which can be used for both a recording paper and an original document. This saves space within the apparatus and therefore enables the image forming apparatus to be reduced in size. In addition, the recording paper and the original document are delivered to the tray with the image-printed or image-bearing surfaces thereon facing in different directions. Thus the user does not confuse the recording paper with the original document.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a heater; an endless film loosely trained around the heater; a pressing roller cooperative with the heater to form a nip with the film interposed between the pressing roller and the heater; a driver for driving the pressing roller; a guiding member for guiding an inside surface of the film, and extended along the pressing roller; wherein the guiding member has, at an end portion, a film guiding surface which is inclined relative to an axis of the pressing roller.

Abstract: A gear unit usable with an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, the image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, an image fixing unit for fixing on a recording material a toner image formed on the image bearing member and transferred to the recording material from the image bearing member, and a feeder for feeding the recording material, the gear unit includes an image bearing member driving gear for transmitting a driving force to the image bearing member; fixing device driving gear for transmitting a driving force to the fixing unit; a feed drive gear for transmitting a driving force to the feeder: a supporting member for supporting the image bearing member driving gear, the image fixing device driving gear and the feed driving gear.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for performing a recording operation with respect to a recording medium, includes an image forming device for forming an image on a recording medium, a recording medium receiver for receiving the recording medium on which the image is formed, and a laser beam emitter, arranged below the recording medium receiver, for emitting a laser beam in accordance with image information so as to cause the image forming device to form an image. The laser beam emitter is arranged below the recording medium receiver to emit a laser beam obliquely upward.

Abstract: An assembling method of an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material includes preparing a frame, a feeding unit having a feeding roller, electrical component unit having electrical components and an outer cover; mounting the feeding unit and the electrical component unit to the frame from a position of the frame which takes a bottom position upon installation of the image forming apparatus; and then overturning of the frame; mounting the outer cover to the frame from a position which takes a top position upon installation of the frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, to which a process cartridge is detachably mountable, the image forming apparatus including a mounting device for mounting a process cartridge having an image bearing member comprising a helical gear, and a process device actable on the image bearing member; a feeder for feeding the recording material; and projection device for projecting image information light onto the image bearing member in a direction from a projection reference disposed at one side of an axis of the image bearing member to the other side; a positioning reference for positioning the image bearing member in its axial direction; feed guide reference for guiding the recording material fed by the feeder; and wherein the positioning reference, the feed guide reference and the projection reference are disposed in a same side of a main assembly of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A heater with a base member has a resistor extended along a length of the base member and generating heat upon electric power supply thereto. Also provided is a temperature detecting element for detecting the temperature of the base member, and first and second electric power supply contacts for supplying electric power to the resistor, the first contacts being provided only adjacent a first longitudinal end of the base member and the second contacts being provided only adjacent a second longitudinal end of the base member.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a heater; a heat transmitting member for transmitting the heat from the heater to an unfixed toner image while moving in contact with a recording material bearing the unfixed image; a pressure roller for forming a nip between the heat transmitting member and itself; wherein the heat transmitting member has a conductive surface; the pressure roller has a conductive core member; and wherein the image heating apparatus further contains a rotating conductive member on the conductive core material in contact with the conductive surface.