Abstract: A first transfer unit having a monochrome image frame in which a monochrome image primary transfer roller is supported, and a second transfer unit having a color image frame in which a plurality of color image primary transfer rollers are supported, are linked such that they can swing at a rotating shaft of a first rotating cam and a second rotating cam.

Abstract: Providing a simply-arranged detaching/attaching mechanism and image forming device which allow a transfer supporter device to be detached/attached through a space formed by opening an outer covering, the device includes photosensitive drums, detachable/attachable transfer belt unit, and rail members supporting a transfer belt unit. Each of the rail members includes a rail groove guiding the transfer belt unit, notch and positioning hole determining the position of the transfer belt unit when the belt is in contact with the photosensitive drums, and notch and convex section determining the position of the transfer belt unit when the belt is detached from the photosensitive drums. The transfer belt unit support with respect to the main body of the image forming device, performed by the rail members, is released in response to the action of opening the side cover, so that the transfer belt unit is in a free state.

Abstract: A first transfer unit having a monochrome image frame in which a monochrome image primary transfer roller is supported, and a second transfer unit having a color image frame in which a plurality of color image primary transfer rollers are supported, are linked such that they can swing at a rotating shaft of a first rotating cam and a second rotating cam.

Abstract: To provide a simply-arranged detaching/attaching mechanism and image forming device which allow a transfer supporter device (contacting member) to be detached/attached through a space formed by opening an outer covering, the present invention includes photosensitive drums, detachable/attachable transfer belt unit, and rail members supporting a transfer belt unit. Each of the rail members includes a rail groove for guiding the transfer belt unit, notch and positioning hole for determining the position of the transfer belt unit when the belt is in contact with the photosensitive drums, and notch and convex section for determining the position of the transfer belt unit when the belt is detached from the photosensitive drums. The support of the transfer belt unit with respect to the main body of the image forming device, which is performed by the rail members, is released in response to the action of opening the side cover, so that the transfer belt unit is caused to be in a free state.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a transfer and transport belt suspended between a plurality of rollers, an image forming section for forming a pattern image on the transfer and transport belt, and a pattern image detecting sensor for detecting the pattern image, the pattern image detecting sensor is disposed so as to detect the surface of a suspended segment, of the transfer and transport belt, suspended between the rollers, and a back surface contact member that is in contact with a back surface of a detection area where the pattern image detecting sensor detects the pattern image on the surface of the transfer and transport belt is provided so as to render the detection area flat and stable. This can provide an image forming apparatus incorporating a pattern image detecting means having a simple arrangement and a capability to surely detect the pattern image in a precise and stable manner.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance guide is configured of separation claws for separating the paper from a conveyer and transfer belt and a movable sheet guide for guiding the paper to a fixer entrance sheet guide. The separation claws are arranged on the upstream side of the movable sheet guide. The movable sheet guide is rotatable about a pivot shaft with its distal end abutted by gravity upon the upstream end part of the fixer entrance sheet guide.The separation claws and movable sheet guide are axially supported so as to rotate on pivots.The sheet conveyance guide moves together with the vertical movement of the conveyer and transfer belt while the abutment point of the separation claws upon the conveyer and transfer belt moves to the appropriate position.

Abstract: A multi-directional driving mechanism includes a moving plate supported rotatably on a supporting shaft and having an input portion and a plurality of output portions, a solenoid coupled to the input portion of the moving plate for causing the moving plate to pivot through a predetermined angle, and a plurality of coupling members each having one end coupled to the plurality of output portions provided on the moving plate. A transfer device for an image forming machine has contacting/separating mechanisms for moving a transfer belt unit, a moving mechanism for moving a cleaning blade, and the multi-directional driving mechanism, the other end each of the plurality of coupling members of the multi-directional driving mechanism being coupled to the contacting/separating mechanisms or the moving mechanism.

Abstract: A transfer device for an image forming machine has a belt unit including a driving roller, a driven roller disposed at a distance from the driving roller, a transfer belt looped between the driving roller and the driven roller, and a transfer roller disposed opposite an image bearing member with the transfer belt interposed therebetween; a contacting/separating device for moving the belt unit between a transfer position and a non-transfer position; and a voltage source for applying a predetermined voltage onto the transfer roller. The transfer roller is disposed apart from the transfer belt, and when the belt unit is brought to the transfer position by the contacting/separating device, the transfer roller presses the transfer belt against the image bearing member. Another embodiment includes a cleaning blade disposed apart from the transfer belt, and which in the transfer position contacts the transfer belt.

Abstract: An image forming machine equipped with a transfer belt unit includes a safety detecting means for detecting the completion of setting of an opening/closing member constituting the image forming machine, and a controlling means for controlling the operation of a driving means for a driving roller on the basis of a signal from the safety detecting means. When the safety detecting means signals the completion of the setting after signaling the incompletion of the setting, the controlling means controls the driving means so as to perform a reverse driving, thereby driving the driving roller reversely by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A transfer device of an image forming machine has a belt unit comprising a pair of supporting plates disposed with a predetermined spacing, a driving roller journaled rotatably at one end portion of the pair of supporting plates, a driven roller journaled rotatably at the other end portion of the pair of supporting plates with a predetermined spacing from the driving roller, a transfer roller disposed between the driving roller and the driven roller, journaled rotatably on the pair of supporting plates, and given a predetermined voltage, and a transfer belt looped among the driving roller, the driven roller and the transfer roller, and disposed opposite an image bearing member. The transfer belt of the belt unit is formed so as to have a width larger than the spacing between the pair of supporting plates, and is disposed such that its side end portions surround at least part of the pair of supporting plates.

Abstract: A transfer device for an image forming machine has a driving roller, a driven roller disposed at a distance from the driving roller, a transfer belt extending between the driving roller and the driven roller, a transfer roller disposed opposite an image bearing member, with the transfer belt interposed therebetween and pressing the transfer belt against the image bearing member, and a voltage source for applying a predetermined voltage onto the transfer roller. The transfer roller consists of a rotating shaft and a roller portion mounted on the rotating shaft, and the hardness of the roller portion is set to result in a compression of 0.45 to 2.00 mm at a linear pressure of 3 g/cm. The volume resistivity of the roller portion of the transfer roller is set at 10.sup.2 to 10.sup.9 ohm-centimeters.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning an endless transfer belt which is made of elastic material and stretched between a first roller and a second roller, one of the two rollers being adapted for driving the belt, the transfer belt being able to come into contact with a copy sheet on one stretch side of the transfer belt to convey the copy sheet in a direction from the first roller to the second roller. The cleaning device is provided with a cleaning blade member for removing toner from the belt. The cleaning blade member is disposed on the other stretch side of the transfer belt and near the second roller, being pressed perpendicularly against an outside surface of the belt, and having a leading end portion which is flexed and capable of coming into a line contact with the belt over an entire width of the belt when the belt is driven. The amount of pressing force of the blade against the belt will be adjusted depending on the sensed temperature of the belt.

Abstract: A transfer plate which also serves as a sheet guide plate is pushed by a torsion spring. A minimum gap less than 0.2 mm between a guide surface of the transfer plate and the surface of a photoreceptor drum is maintained to be smaller than the thickness of a transfer sheet by a spacer member provided on the guide surface. When the sheet passes through the gap between the drum surface and the guide surface, the transfer plate is pushed down by the sheet and the sheet is pressed onto a toner image formed on the drum surface with an appropriate pressure by the pushing force of the torsion spring. At this time, a transfer voltage is applied to the transfer plate, so that the toner image on the drum surface is transferred to the sheet.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus of a copying machine includes a first moving frame and a second moving frame constituting a movable optical system for reading an original image; a toothed belt suspended between a pair of pulleys such that the toothed belt is endlessly movable; the first moving frame being fixed; a second moving frame driving pulley installed on the second moving frame and which is driven by the toothed belt; a friction roller which rotates in a body with the second moving frame driving pulley; and a stationary friction plate installed so as to be brought in contact with the friction roller. The scanning apparatus has a simple construction, and a stable and high performance in reading an original image can be obtained.

Abstract: A toothed-belt fixing mechanism allows an end portion of a toothed-belt to be inserted between a toothed-pulley rotatable only in one direction and a guide member positioned so that a predetermined gap is formed between the guide member and peripheral teeth of the toothed-pulley. Teeth of the toothed-belt engage with the peripheral teeth of the toothed-pulley.