Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of reliably positioning a process unit in a main image forming apparatus body, without impairing ease of mounting/dismounting of the process unit achieved by a simple structure. A convex section that projects towards the insertion side is provided on the process unit, an engagement section that positions the process unit in its width direction by engaging with the convex section in the condition, where the process unit is mounted, is provided on the main apparatus body, and a guidance section that guides the convex section towards the guidance section when mounting the process unit is provided on at least one of the tip end of the convex section and the main apparatus body.

Abstract: A holding unit turns, while holding a latent image writing unit, centered on a turning axis that is arranged on a main body of an image forming apparatus between an opening position and a closing position with respect to the main body. A positioning unit arranged on the main body positions the latent image writing unit with respect to the image carrier, when the holding unit is at the closing position. A biasing unit biases the latent image writing unit to make a contact with the positioning unit. A shock absorbing unit absorbs a shock received by the holding unit and the latent image writing unit when the holding unit is moved from the closing position to the opening position.

Abstract: An image writing unit causes, upon being set in a write position, an optical system unit to be movable and positions the optical system unit, with a hitting portion of the optical system unit hitting a blocking portion in a chassis. A holding unit includes, in a state in which the image writing unit is set in the write position, a portion defining an opening that faces either one of an air intake unit and an air exhaust unit. The air intake unit blows an intake air to the optical system unit through the opening, or the air exhaust unit draws an exhaust air around the optical system unit through the opening.

Abstract: In a paper feeder, a signal switching unit switches a paper present signal output from a paper detector to a paper absent signal indicative of absence of a paper in the second paper cassette if a first paper cassette is pulled out from a specific position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus which prevents deformation of a structural frame caused by external force or weight of the apparatus itself, when set on a surface such as a conventional desk or floor, prevents image defects such as image deformation and the like without reducing the degree of accuracy of positioning support of respective printing devices inside the image forming apparatus, and furthermore also makes precise color matching possible while also being low price, easily assembled, compact, lightweight, highly reliable, and capable of obtaining high quality images. The structural body of the image forming apparatus includes side wall portions made of resin and provided on either side of the apparatus, and at least two connectors formed from metal, for connecting the side wall portions, an image forming unit being supported by the side wall portions, and the connectors joining the side wall portions in substantially perpendicular and substantially horizontal directions.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photoconductor driven by gears, a developing roller, an agitator. The process cartridge is mounted on an image forming apparatus that forms an image with toner. The process cartridge includes an air inlet and an air outlet on a side plate thereof. The gears are arranged along a path between the air inlet and the air outlet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of suppressing drop in the write positional accuracy of the optical write while improving the maintenancability of the photosensitive bodies and the peripheral devices thereof, having a printer comprising four processing units each holding, in the inner part thereof, a photosensitive body for supporting a latent image on an endless moving surface, an optical write unit that is movable between an operate position where a write operation is performed for writing latent images on the surface of each of these photosensitive bodies and a retreat position where this write operation is not performed, and a support body for supporting each of the photosensitive bodies of the processing units and the optical write unit, the support body being configured as an integrally molded part by being united at the location for supporting each of the photosensitive bodies of the processing units and the location for supporting the optical write unit from (front-side panel and rear-side panel).

Abstract: A frame constitutes an apparatus, and includes a first side plate, a second side plate that faces the first side plate, and a connecting member between the first and second side plates. The connecting member includes a first-side connecting portion and a second-side connecting portion. The first-side connecting portion is connected to the first side plate so that the first side plate does not move with respect to the connecting member. The second-side connecting portion includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The second side plate moves with respect to the connecting member on a second-connecting-portion side with the first connecting portion as a center. The first and second side plates are attached with a cover member that is openable and closable from the front side of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus or an image forming apparatus including a main body having a first supporting leg configured to be connectable to the main body, a second supporting leg fixed to the main body, and the position of the main body to connect the first supporting leg is selectable. The apparatus may be stable on the installation surface if the center of gravity of the apparatus is transformed.

Abstract: A plurality of image forming apparatuses connected with one another via a network each have a power management table A and a power management table B. Each image forming apparatus uses the power management table A to cumulate power amounts consumed therein by each user group, transmits cumulating results (the contents of the management table A) to other image forming apparatuses. The image forming apparatus receives the contents of the power management table A from the other image forming apparatuses, obtains a sum of consumption power amounts of each user group, using the received contents and the contents of its own power management table A, and updates relevant fields in the power management table B. The image forming apparatus prohibits execution of a new job submitted by a group whose consumption power amount is equal to or greater than a maximum power amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cover frame that holds a held shaft of an optical writing unit to allow a free movement thereof and urges the optical writing unit in a predetermined direction by using an urging coil spring to bring the held portion shaft of the optical writing unit separated from the writing operation position into contact with a contact target portion thereof.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a photoreceptor carries a latent image on its looped surface. An optical writing unit moves between an operating position at which writing of a latent image is performed on the looped surface of the photoreceptor and a standby position at which writing is not performed. A developing device develops the latent image carried on the photoreceptor. A reference position member is located at a reference position for positioning the optical writing unit. A positioning member positions the optical writing unit. A bias coil spring biases the reference position member so that the reference position member contacts the positioning member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first member and second member that are formed of different materials. The first member includes a plurality of first abutting portions. The second member includes a plurality of second abutting portions. One latent image carrier or one holding member abuts with one first abutting portion so as to regulate movements of the latent image carrier in a first direction substantially parallel to a sub scanning direction. One latent image carrier or one holding member abuts with one second abutting portion so as to regulate movements of the latent image carrier in a second direction, which is substantially orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: A plate type heat exchanger wherein contacting portions of laminated plural plates and fins or contacting portions of laminated plural plates are brazed to form a heat exchange area, characterized in that at least the surface of a plate or fin contacting with a fluid is covered with an alloy comprising in weight ratio 25–35% of chromium, 5–7% of phosphorus, 3–5% of silicon, 0.001–0.1% of at least one selected from the group consisting of aluminum, calcium, yttrium and mischmetal, and balance containing mainly nickel. The alloy may contain 15% or less of iron and or 10% or less of molybdenum. The plate type exchanger exhibits enhanced pressure resistance and is excellent in corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Brazed product obtained by brazing a metal and ceramic according to a brazing method of high production rate that realizes uniform brazing material composition at brazed sites, thereby enhancing junction reliability and that is free from problems such as deterioration of working environment by malodor. There are also disclosed a ceramic part and metal part for use in the production of the brazed product. The brazed product is produced by applying a binder to brazing site of at least one of a metal part made of a metal and a ceramic part made of a ceramic; spreading active silver braze powder and fixing the same thereto; overlapping the brazing site with the bonding face of the counterpart member; and heating them in a furnace to melt the active silver braze powder and brazing therewith.

Abstract: An active binder for brazing which is for use in brazing metals to ceramics; a ceramic part for brazing to which the binder has been applied; a brazed product; and a foil-form brazing material for use in producing a brazed metal/ceramic product. The active binder contains particles of either an active metal or a compound thereof (preferably titanium hydride) added thereto. The part for brazing comprises a part made of a ceramic and particles of either an active metal or a compound thereof which have been fixed to the ceramic part in at least the brazing area through a binder. The brazed product is produced by superposing the brazing area in the part for brazing on the brazing area in a metal part and then heating them in a furnace to melt the brazing particles and thereby braze the parts together.

Abstract: A digital image forming apparatus arranges an image of a specified image document among a plurality of documents on a spread page located on the innermost side of saddle stitch type prints in gathering in easy operation with high reliability. A digital image forming apparatus is equipped with: an image reader for reading images of a plurality of pages of documents and outputting an image data of each image; a printer for forming images on both sides of a paper sheet based on inputted image data; array setting means for setting allotment of each of paper sheets for the documents read by the image reader so that prints for saddle stitching are obtained by using the printer and that an image of a specified document among the documents is arranged on a spread page of the saddle stitch type prints; and control means for inputting the image data outputted by the image reader to the printer in an order changed based on the array setting set by the array setting means.

Abstract: In a client personal computer, when a user starts a remote copy program, the initial remote copy and setting screens are displayed on a screen. Together with this display, power consumption information and status information describing the operating state of each image processing device such as printers and scanners are collected over a network. This information is updated as necessary. The power consumption is estimated for each combination of image processing devices cooperatively processing a job based on the collected information. The combination having the least power consumption among the possible combinations is displayed on a screen. When a user presses the start key, operation specification information including specification for cooperatively executing a job are transmitted to each selected image processing device. In this way, the combination having the least power consumption is selected when a plurality of image processing devices connected on a network cooperatively process a job.

Abstract: A plate type heat exchanger wherein contacting portions of laminated plural plates and fins or contacting portions of laminated plural plates are brazed to form a heat exchange area, characterized in that at least the surface of a plate or fin contacting with a fluid is covered with an alloy comprising in weight ratio 25-35% of chromium, 5-7% of phosphorus, 3-5% of silicon, 0.001-0.1% of at least one selected from the group consisting of aluminum, calcium, yttrium and mischmetal, and balance containing mainly nickel. The alloy may contain 15% or less of iron and or 10% or less of molybdenum.

Abstract: A microphone is provided with a simple structure by which a lead wire is not required to detect displacement of a vibrated film. The microphone is equipped with a vibrated film 2 to receive sonic waves on either surface and to receive electro-magnetic waves on other surface, a device 4 to receive and transmit the electro-magnetic waves reflected by the vibrated film, a counter to count pulses from the device to receive and transmit electro-magnetic waves, a processing logic 5 to count the pulses output from the counter. Displacement of the vibrated film is converted into electric signals by counting the processing logic the frequency and amplitude of the electro-magnetic waves reflected by the vibrated film 2.