Abstract: An interchangeable tool including a finger of a shape suitable for various components is mechanically detachably mounted to a robot arm. This eliminates the need for seeking the origin of the actuator for each interchange. By interchanging fingers themselves, the entire end effector can be reduced in size and weight.

Abstract: A tool stocker for holding a tool is equipped with a stocker-inclining member that inclines the tool stocker and also equipped with a mechanism that adjusts an attaching/detaching position at which an interchangeable tool is attached to and detached from a robot arm. The attaching/detaching position can be adjusted by using the tool stocker so as to fit moving paths of the robot arm appropriately.

Abstract: A tool stocker for holding a tool is equipped with a stocker-inclining member that inclines the tool stocker and also equipped with a mechanism that adjusts an attaching/detaching position at which an interchangeable tool is attached to and detached from a robot arm. The attaching/detaching position can be adjusted by using the tool stocker so as to fit moving paths of the robot arm appropriately.

Abstract: An interchangeable tool including a finger of a shape suitable for various components is mechanically detachably mounted to a robot arm. This eliminates the need for seeking the origin of the actuator for each interchange. By interchanging fingers themselves, the entire end effector can be reduced in size and weight.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station including a heater for heating a sheet and a discharge opening for discharging the sheet having passed through the heater in a discharging direction; an image reading station provided above the image forming station to read image information of an original; and a duct portion provided by an upper surface of the image forming station and a lower surface of the image reading station, and at a position upstream of the discharge opening with respect to the discharging direction; A portion of the lower surface of the image reading station as provides the duct portion is at a level higher toward an upstream side with respect to the discharging direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming station including a heater for heating a sheet and a discharge opening for discharging a sheet having passed through the heater, in a discharging direction; an image reading station provided above the image forming station to read image information of an original; and a duct portion provided by an upper surface of the image forming station and a lower surface of the image reading station, and a position upstream of the discharge opening with respect to the discharging direction, wherein such a portion of the lower surface of the image reading station as provides the duct portion is at a level higher toward an upstream with respect to the discharging direction.

Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus including: a discharge tray which can moves between a first position capable of loading a discharged sheet and a second position that is separated from the first position; and a sheet loading amount detection sensor which has a sheet detection flag abutting against the upper surface of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray and capable of moving in accordance with a loading amount of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray, and detects the sheet loading amount by detecting a position of the sheet detection flag, wherein when the discharge tray means is located at the second position, the sheet detection flag is removed from a position capable of detecting the sheet loading amount.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a cartridge that has a photosensitive drum and can be attached to and detached from a main body of the image forming apparatus, an optical device that has a cover glass through which light emitted toward the photosensitive drum passes, a cleaning member that can move from a cleaning start position to a cleaning end position for cleaning the cover glass, and a lock member that prevents the cleaning member from moving. Before the cartridge is attached, the lock member prevents the cleaning member from moving in the longitudinal direction of the cover glass. During the attachment of the cartridge, the cartridge engages with the lock member and unlocks the cleaning member and enables the cleaning member to move from the cleaning start position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a cartridge that has a photosensitive drum and can be attached to and detached from a main body of the image forming apparatus, an optical device that has a cover glass through which light emitted toward the photosensitive drum passes, a cleaning member that can move from a cleaning start position to a cleaning end position for cleaning the cover glass, and a lock member that prevents the cleaning member from moving. Before the cartridge is attached, the lock member prevents the cleaning member from moving in the longitudinal direction of the cover glass. During the attachment of the cartridge, the cartridge engages with the lock member and unlocks the cleaning member and enables the cleaning member to move from the cleaning start position.

Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus including: a discharge tray which can moves between a first position capable of loading a discharged sheet and a second position that is separated from the first position; and a sheet loading amount detection sensor which has a sheet detection flag abutting against the upper surface of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray and capable of moving in accordance with a loading amount of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray, and detects the sheet loading amount by detecting a position of the sheet detection flag, wherein when the discharge tray means is located at the second position, the sheet detection flag is removed from a position capable of detecting the sheet loading amount.

Abstract: So as to more effectively prevent each sheet from being caught, a guide member is provided in a region that extends from an intermediate stacking portion to a staple cartridge portion across a stapler portion main body in a binding portion that performs a binding operation on sheets.

Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus including: a discharge tray which can moves between a first position capable of loading a discharged sheet and a second position that is separated from the first position; and a sheet loading amount detection sensor which has a sheet detection flag abutting against the upper surface of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray and capable of moving in accordance with a loading amount of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray, and detects the sheet loading amount by detecting a position of the sheet detection flag, wherein when the discharge tray means is located at the second position, the sheet detection flag is removed from a position capable of detecting the sheet loading amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can perform stable sheet conveyance, regardless of whether a sheet processing apparatus is connected thereto. The image forming apparatus can be connected to a sheet processing apparatus that performs post processing on each conveyed sheet. The image forming apparatus includes: a pair of discharge rollers that are located at the discharge outlet of the image forming main body for sheet conveyance, and have rotational members arranged so as to alternately face both sides of each sheet in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction; and an upper discharge roller holding member that changes the center distance between the discharge rollers from a first center distance observed when the sheet processing apparatus is not connected to the image forming main body to a second center distance observed when the sheet processing apparatus is connected to the image forming main body to convey a sheet to the sheet processing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can perform stable sheet conveyance, regardless of whether a sheet processing apparatus is connected thereto. The image forming apparatus can be connected to a sheet processing apparatus that performs post processing on each conveyed sheet. The image forming apparatus includes: a pair of discharge rollers that are located at the discharge outlet of the image forming main body for sheet conveyance, and have rotational members arranged so as to alternately face both sides of each sheet in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction; and an upper discharge roller holding member that changes the center distance between the discharge rollers from a first center distance observed when the sheet processing apparatus is not connected to the image forming main body to a second center distance observed when the sheet processing apparatus is connected to the image forming main body to convey a sheet to the sheet processing apparatus.

Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus including: a discharge tray which can moves between a first position capable of loading a discharged sheet and a second position that is separated from the first position; and a sheet loading amount detection sensor which has a sheet detection flag abutting against the upper surface of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray and capable of moving in accordance with a loading amount of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray, and detects the sheet loading amount by detecting a position of the sheet detection flag, wherein when the discharge tray means is located at the second position, the sheet detection flag is removed from a position capable of detecting the sheet loading amount.

Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus including: a discharge tray which can moves between a first position capable of loading a discharged sheet and a second position that is separated from the first position; and a sheet loading amount detection sensor which has a sheet detection flag abutting against the upper surface of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray and capable of moving in accordance with a loading amount of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray, and detects the sheet loading amount by detecting a position of the sheet detection flag, wherein when the discharge tray means is located at the second position, the sheet detection flag is removed from a position capable of detecting the sheet loading amount.

Abstract: So as to more effectively prevent each sheet from being caught, a guide member is provided in a region that extends from an intermediate stacking portion to a staple cartridge portion across a stapler portion main body in a binding portion that performs a binding operation on sheets.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can perform stable sheet conveyance, regardless of whether a sheet processing apparatus is connected thereto. The image forming apparatus can be connected to a sheet processing apparatus that performs post processing on each conveyed sheet. The image forming apparatus includes: a pair of discharge rollers that are located at the discharge outlet of the image forming main body for sheet conveyance, and have rotational members arranged so as to alternately face both sides of each sheet in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction; and an upper discharge roller holding member that changes the center distance between the discharge rollers from a first center distance observed when the sheet processing apparatus is not connected to the image forming main body to a second center distance observed when the sheet processing apparatus is connected to the image forming main body to convey a sheet to the sheet processing apparatus.

Abstract: To provide an image forming apparatus including: a discharge tray which can moves between a first position capable of loading a discharged sheet and a second position that is separated from the first position; and a sheet loading amount detection sensor which has a sheet detection flag abutting against the upper surface of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray and capable of moving in accordance with a loading amount of the sheet loaded on the discharge tray, and detects the sheet loading amount by detecting a position of the sheet detection flag, wherein when the discharge tray means is located at the second position, the sheet detection flag is removed from a position capable of detecting the sheet loading amount.