Abstract: An image forming device includes a body and one or more door assemblies. At least one door assembly may be movable between open and closed orientations. A variety of mechanical and electrical interlocks may be used to control motion of the door assemblies. A first interlock may prevent a door assembly from moving under the influence of a force between an open and closed orientation prior to a condition being satisfied. This condition may depend on the position of a second door assembly. A breakaway feature may release the first interlock when the closing force exceeds a predetermined level. A second interlock may work with the first interlock to keep a second door assembly from opening if the first door assembly is closed. An electrical interlock may disconnect power to the image forming device when the first door assembly is open.

Abstract: An image forming device with one or more door assemblies that engage locking mechanisms to secure a module in an operating position. The module may be coupled to one of the one or more door assemblies. A first locking mechanism may secure the module to the image forming device body when a first door assembly is closed. A second locking mechanism may secure the module to the body with a greater securing force than the first locking mechanism to secure the module to the body. The second locking mechanism may be engaged upon closing a second door assembly. Separate biasing members may be used to apply the securing forces. The locking mechanisms may comprise four-bar or over-center mechanisms to apply the securing forces.

Abstract: An exit roll for use in an image forming device. The exit roll may include a body and a kicker section each configured to mount to a shaft. The kicker section may include a plurality of fingers spaced around the periphery. Each of the fingers may include a first section that is substantially parallel to the shaft, and a second section that extends outward way from the shaft. The fingers may be flexible in an upwards and downwards direction into and away from the shaft. The exit roll is constructed to move media sheets out of the exit port and away from the image forming device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for directing a media sheet along a media path within an image forming apparatus. The media path comprises rollers that form a media nip, one or more deflectors, and a transport belt. The media nip conveys the media sheet along the media path into one or more deflectors. The one or more deflectors are positioned between the nip and the transport belt. The one or more deflectors control the angle of the media sheet as it approaches the transport belt and facilitates attachment of the media sheet to the transport belt. The transport belt then moves the media sheet past one or more image forming units and receives a toner image.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus containing a plurality of rollers disposed with generally parallel axes, a retraction plate containing a plurality of rotational couplings is movable between engaged and retracted positions. Each rotational coupling is operative to transmit a rotary force to each cartridge when the retraction plate is in the engaged position. The couplings move laterally in an axial direction of the rollers as the retraction plate moves between the engaged and retracted positions, in response to an applied force. In one embodiment, the retraction plate is rotated about a pivot point to move the couplings between engaged and retracted positions. In another embodiment, the retraction plate is translated laterally in the axial direction of the couplings.

Abstract: An image forming device having a main body and a movable subunit. The subunit is movable between a first orientation and a second orientation. A developer member is positioned within the main body, and a photoconductive member is positioned on the subunit. In the first orientation, the developer member and photoconductive member are spaced apart. In the second orientation, the photoconductive member is positioned either in contact with or closely located to the developer member. Image formation occurs when the subunit is in the second orientation as toner is transferred from the developer member to the photoconductive member. Methods of using the image forming device include positioning the developer member in the main body and the photoconductive member on the subunit, and moving the subunit from a first orientation to a second orientation such that image formation can occur.

Abstract: A door assembly movably positioned to a body of an image forming device. The door assembly includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame is movably attached to the body, and the second frame is movably attached to the first frame. The movable connections between the frames and the main body cause accurate locating of a photoconductive member mounted on the door assembly within the body. In one embodiment, a contour surface within the body contacts the second frame to locate the second frame within the body. Methods of moving the door assembly are also disclosed including moving the door assembly from an open orientation that is spaced from the body, to a closed orientation that is in proximity to the body. The movement of the door assembly causes interaction between the frames and the body to accurately locate the second frame.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a waste toner system that collects waste toner in a waste toner container. An amount of waste toner collected in the container is increased by using a motor-driven toner distributing member that distributes accumulated toner within the container. The waste toner system may detect the accumulation of waste toner by monitoring a motor control circuit while the toner distributing member is being driven. For example, the system may detect excess accumulation by comparing the monitored values of a speed control signal with one or more reference values corresponding to nominal accumulation conditions. Whether or not the motor is speed controlled, the apparatus may use a shared motor that drives one or more image forming process members and the toner distributing member. A drive arrangement may be used to selectively drive the toner distributing member based on motor direction to avoid interfering with image forming operations.

Abstract: A removable media tray for an image forming apparatus includes a housing, an exit port in the housing, a primary media stack, and a multi-purpose tray (MPT) input. Within the tray are first and second pick mechanisms operative to select a media sheet from the primary stack or MPT stack, respectively, and move the media sheet to the image forming apparatus through the exit port. A motor is disposed within the tray housing, and first and second drive assemblies operatively connect the motor to the first and second pick mechanisms, respectively. The motor drives the first pick mechanism forward by rotating in one direction, and drives the second pick mechanism forward by rotating in the opposite direction. A media sensor in the exit port senses media sheets from a variety of sources, including the primary media stack, the MPT stack, a duplex return path, or a large-capacity media sheet supply.