Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a main part that forms an image on a continuous medium in a state in which a tension is applied to the continuous medium, the continuous medium being fed from a first roll and conveyed to be taken up on a second roll; and a tension maintaining part that maintains the tension of the continuous medium at the main part during a manipulation for replacing at least one of the first roll and the second roll.

Abstract: A paper feeder includes: first and second accommodation units which are arranged side by side in a casing along a recording paper conveyance direction and in which recording paper is loaded in a specified accommodation orientation; and an erroneous loading detection unit which is provided in a non-loaded region between the first and second accommodation units, detects whether or not the recording paper is loaded, and detects recording paper accommodated in an orientation other than the specified accommodation orientation, wherein the paper feeder can shift a bundle of the recording paper loaded in the second accommodation unit to the first accommodation unit arranged on a downstream side of the recording paper conveyance direction.

Abstract: A system interconnecting facility is connected to a power system, and includes a plurality of power converters connected to the power system, a plurality of transformers provided between the power system and the power converters, a plurality of switches provided between the transformers and the power converters, and a controller that controls the opening and closing of the switch. The controller outputs, to the switches, open and close commands in so that the number of closed switches is out of a closed switch number range where a harmonic voltage of the system interconnecting facility increases, based on a harmonic voltage containing rate characteristic that is a relation between the number of closed switches and a harmonic voltage containing rate of the system interconnecting facility. The system interconnecting facility is capable of suppressing a harmonic voltage even if a circuit structure differs depending on a situation.

Abstract: A system interconnecting facility is connected to a power system, and includes a plurality of power converters connected to the power system, a plurality of transformers provided between the power system and the power converters, a plurality of switches provided between the transformers and the power converters, and a controller that controls the opening and closing of the switch. The controller outputs, to the switches, open and close commands in so that the number of closed switches is out of a closed switch number range where a harmonic voltage of the system interconnecting facility increases, based on a harmonic voltage containing rate characteristic that is a relation between the number of closed switches and a harmonic voltage containing rate of the system interconnecting facility. The system interconnecting facility is capable of suppressing a harmonic voltage even if a circuit structure differs depending on a situation.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device including: a stacking unit; and a regulation member movably supported by the stacking unit and contacting a sheet edge to regulate a sheet position. The regulation member includes: a locking member movable between an engagement position and a disengagement position; a biasing member biasing the locking member toward the engagement position; a force receiver receiving a user operation; a releaser converting a first force in a first direction applied to the force receiver into a second force in a second direction opposing a biasing force from the biasing member, moving the locking member from the engagement position to the disengagement position; and a stopper that, after the locking member disengages from the engaging portion and a user operation is not applied to the force receiver, prevents a movement of the locking member back to the engagement position due to the biasing force from the biasing member.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device including: a stacking unit; and a regulation member movably supported by the stacking unit and contacting a sheet edge to regulate a sheet position. The regulation member includes: a locking member movable between an engagement position and a disengagement position; a biasing member biasing the locking member toward the engagement position; a force receiver receiving a user operation; a releaser converting a first force in a first direction applied to the force receiver into a second force in a second direction opposing a biasing force from the biasing member, moving the locking member from the engagement position to the disengagement position; and a stopper that, after the locking member disengages from the engaging portion and a user operation is not applied to the force receiver, prevents a movement of the locking member back to the engagement position due to the biasing force from the biasing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a conveying unit configured to convey a sheet along a conveyance path group including at least a first conveyance path and a second conveyance path joining the first conveyance path; an image forming unit; and a path switcher, wherein: the path switcher includes: a guide unit configured to rotate about a guide supporting point and rotate between a first position and a second position; a protruding portion fixed to the guide unit; a drive lever having a first pressing surface and a second pressing surface; a first force applying unit; and a second force applying unit; the drive lever includes: a first lever; a second lever; a third force applying unit; and a restraining portion configured to set a moving end on the rotation of the second lever; and the restraining portion restricts the moving end of the second lever to a predetermined position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a conveying unit configured to convey a sheet along a conveyance path group including at least a first conveyance path and a second conveyance path joining the first conveyance path; an image forming unit; and a path switcher, wherein: the path switcher includes: a guide unit configured to rotate about a guide supporting point and rotate between a first position and a second position; a protruding portion fixed to the guide unit; a drive lever having a first pressing surface and a second pressing surface; a first force applying unit; and a second force applying unit; the drive lever includes: a first lever; a second lever; a third force applying unit; and a restraining portion configured to set a moving end on the rotation of the second lever; and the restraining portion restricts the moving end of the second lever to a predetermined position.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a voltage fluctuation suppressing apparatus is provided with a power storage device connected to an electric power system, a basic control unit to control an output of the power storage device, a voltage detector to measure a voltage of a connection point to the electric power system, and an output control unit to divide a control amount to be outputted to the basic control unit into a reactive power command value and an active power command value and to output them. The output control unit is provided with a reactive power upper limit value calculation unit, a reactive power calculation/output unit, and an active power calculation/output unit.

Abstract: A paper feeder includes: first and second accommodation units which are arranged side by side in a casing along a recording paper conveyance direction and in which recording paper is loaded in a specified accommodation orientation; and an erroneous loading detection unit which is provided in a non-loaded region between the first and second accommodation units, detects whether or not the recording paper is loaded, and detects recording paper accommodated in an orientation other than the specified accommodation orientation, wherein the paper feeder can shift a bundle of the recording paper loaded in the second accommodation unit to the first accommodation unit arranged on a downstream side of the recording paper conveyance direction.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a voltage fluctuation suppressing apparatus is provided with a power storage device connected to an electric power system, a basic control unit to control an output of the power storage device, a voltage detector to measure a voltage of a connection point to the electric power system, and an output control unit to divide a control amount to be outputted to the basic control unit into a reactive power command value and an active power command value and to output them. The output control unit is provided with a reactive power upper limit value calculation unit, a reactive power calculation/output unit, and an active power calculation/output unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having: a slit plate in which a plurality of slits of different widths are provided, the slit plate being movable in an amount proportional to an amount of movement of a elevating plate; a sensor unit disposed such that the slits pass between a luminous element and a light-sensitive element, the sensor unit outputting a detection signal that indicates whether light emitted by the luminous element is in a transmitted state or not; and a control unit that stores positions of the elevating plate corresponding to the widths of the slits, and identifies a position of the elevating plate corresponding to a slit width derived from a detection signal outputted by the sensor unit, thereby deriving a remaining quantity of sheets on the elevating plate.

Abstract: A tray drawable from an image forming apparatus body in a specified first direction, the tray having: a tray body in which printing media are stored; a handle that is fastened to the tray body so as to be slidable in the first direction by a specified distance, a pull of the handle in the first direction effecting a slide of the handle in the first direction relative to the tray body and applying a pull force in the first direction to the tray body; a lock mechanism for locking the tray body in the image forming apparatus body, the slide of the handle in the first direction relative to the tray body cancelling the lock mechanism; and an elastic member located between the handle and the tray body; wherein at least part of the pull force is transmitted from the handle to the tray body via the elastic member.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a feed roller for feeding a sheet and a lifting plate for lifting the sheet to be fed to a feeding height of the feed roller. This sheet feeder further includes a wire for raising the lifting plate and a winding member formed with a winding configuration section for winding the wire. This winding configuration section is provided with a high-position winding section for a high-position side in a lifting height of the lifting plate and a low-position winding section for a low-position side. The high-position winding section is larger in winding radius than the low-position winding section. Accordingly, a sheet feeder having a simple structure capable of rapidly moving down the lifting plate and preventing impact of the lifting plate and an image forming apparatus incorporating the sheet feeder can be provided.

Abstract: A tray drawable from an image forming apparatus body in a specified first direction, the tray having: a tray body in which printing media are stored; a handle that is fastened to the tray body so as to be slidable in the first direction by a specified distance, a pull of the handle in the first direction effecting a slide of the handle in the first direction relative to the tray body and applying a pull force in the first direction to the tray body; a lock mechanism for locking the tray body in the image forming apparatus body, the slide of the handle in the first direction relative to the tray body cancelling the lock mechanism; and an elastic member located between the handle and the tray body; wherein at least part of the pull force is transmitted from the handle to the tray body via the elastic member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having: a slit plate in which a plurality of slits of different widths are provided, the slit plate being movable in an amount proportional to an amount of movement of a elevating plate; a sensor unit disposed such that the slits pass between a luminous element and a light-sensitive element, the sensor unit outputting a detection signal that indicates whether light emitted by the luminous element is in a transmitted state or not; and a control unit that stores positions of the elevating plate corresponding to the widths of the slits, and identifies a position of the elevating plate corresponding to a slit width derived from a detection signal outputted by the sensor unit, thereby deriving a remaining quantity of sheets on the elevating plate.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electric device operation includes a plurality of electric devices managed by a consumer associated with a power system and a plurality of control devices for controlling an operation of the electric devices. The system includes an operation time calculation unit configured to calculate a start time of an operation of increasing or decreasing power received from the plurality of electric devices based on a control command for requesting an increase or decrease of power received from the power system such that the start time is different for each of the electric devices. Each of the control devices executes an operation of increasing or decreasing reception power at an operation start time different for each of the electric devices as a result of calculation of the calculation unit.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a feed roller for feeding a sheet and a lifting plate for lifting the sheet to be fed to a feeding height of the feed roller. This sheet feeder further includes a wire for raising the lifting plate and a winding member formed with a winding configuration section for winding the wire. This winding configuration section is provided with a high-position winding section for a high-position side in a lifting height of the lifting plate and a low-position winding section for a low-position side. The high-position winding section is larger in winding radius than the low-position winding section. Accordingly, a sheet feeder having a simple structure capable of rapidly moving down the lifting plate and preventing impact of the lifting plate and an image forming apparatus incorporating the sheet feeder can be provided.

Abstract: A toner supply container has a container body and a conveyance member rotatably arranged inside the container body and which conveys toner toward a discharge opening of the container body when driven to rotate by external force. The conveyance member includes a cylindrical rotary body and a screw blade member wound around the cylindrical rotary body so that the screw blade member stands on an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical rotary body. The inner surface of a bottom wall of the container body includes a cylindrically curved surface identical to a part of a circumferential surface of an imaginary cylinder whose axis is substantially the same as a rotation axis of the conveyance member. A curvature radius of the cylindrically curved surface is set so the conveyance member rotates in a state where an outer circumferential edge of the screw blade member substantially slides on the cylindrically curved surface.

Abstract: A fitting structure for process cartridges and an image forming apparatus body of an image forming apparatus capable of fitting the process cartridges for plural colors thereto, the fitting structure including: an incompatible member with its cross-sectional shape in an axial direction being rotationally symmetrical, the incompatible member having at least one attaching projection and one displaying hole or one displaying notched portion formed on a position different from a rotational shaft of the rotationally symmetrical shape; an attached portion of the process cartridge capable of holding the incompatible member, having identification display portions for identifying the plural colors arranged on the position corresponding to the displaying hole or the displaying notched portion; and an acceptance portion of the image forming apparatus body having an acceptance concave portion for accepting the at least one attaching projection of the incompatible member.