Abstract: A molten metal component estimation device including: an input device configured to receive measurement information about a refining facility including measurement results regarding an optical characteristic; a model database that stores model expressions and model parameters, regarding a blowing process reaction, including a model expression and model parameters representing a relation between the oxygen efficiency in decarburization and a carbon concentration in a molten metal in the refining facility; and a processor configured to: estimate component concentrations of the molten metal including the carbon concentration in the molten metal by using the measurement information, the model expressions and the model parameters; estimate the carbon concentration in the molten metal based on the measurement results; and determine the model expression and the model parameters to be used when estimating the component concentrations of the molten metal, based on the estimation result of the carbon concentration in t

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly including an image forming portion capable of forming an image on a sheet, a rotatable cover movable between an open state and a closed state, a substrate mounting unit including a substrate mounting portion on which an electrical substrate is mounted, and a substrate cover portion engaged and held so as to cover the electrical substrate mounted on the substrate mounting portion. The substrate mounting unit includes a mounting and demounting mechanism configured to permit mounting and dismounting of the substrate cover portion. The substrate cover portion is covered by the cover when the cover is in the closed state, and the substrate cover portion is uncovered by the cover when the cover is in the open state.

Abstract: A coil spring unit includes a coil spring; and a metal plate supporting the coil spring, the metal plate including a plurality of supporting portions cooperative with each other to support the coil spring, wherein the supporting portions are provided by bending the metal plate at bending lines and have supporting surfaces substantially perpendicular to the bending lines, respectively, and wherein the supporting surfaces are substantially parallel with outside tangential lines of the coil spring and support the coil spring.

Abstract: A coil spring unit includes a coil spring; and a metal plate supporting the coil spring, the metal plate including a plurality of supporting portions cooperative with each other to support the coil spring, wherein the supporting portions are provided by bending the metal plate at bending lines and have supporting surfaces substantially perpendicular to the bending lines, respectively, and wherein the supporting surfaces are substantially parallel with outside tangential lines of the coil spring and support the coil spring.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly including an image forming portion capable of forming an image on a sheet; a rotatable cover movable between an open state and a closed state; a substrate mounting unit including a substrate mounting portion on which an electrical substrate is mounted, and a substrate cover portion engaged and held so as to cover the electrical substrate mounted on the substrate mounting portion. The substrate mounting unit includes a mounting and demounting mechanism configured to permit mounting and dismounting of the substrate cover portion. The substrate cover portion is covered by the cover when the cover is in the closed state, and the substrate cover portion is uncovered by the cover when the cover is in the open state.

Abstract: A coil spring unit includes a coil spring; and a metal plate supporting the coil spring, the metal plate including a plurality of supporting portions cooperative with each other to support the coil spring, wherein the supporting portions are provided by bending the metal plate at bending lines and have supporting surfaces substantially perpendicular to the bending lines, respectively, and wherein the supporting surfaces are substantially parallel with outside tangential lines of the coil spring and support the coil spring.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the main body including: a fixing portion that includes a heating rotation member; and a mounting portion on which the cartridge is mounted, the fixing portion including a fixing shutter movable between a first position where a part of the heating rotation member is covered and a second position where the part of the heating rotation member is exposed, the fixing shutter including a force receiving portion that receives a force for causing the fixing shutter to move from the first position to the second position, the cartridge including a photosensitive member, a frame that supports the photosensitive member, and a pressing portion that presses the force receiving portion of the fixing shutter while the cartridge is being mounted on the mounting portion.

Abstract: A driving device includes a motor including a shaft portion provided with a gear portion; a side plate provided with a first hole through which the motor engages with the side plate and a second hole connecting with the first hole; a gear configured to engage with the gear portion provided on the shaft portion when the motor is fixed in the first hole, so as to be rotatable through transmission of a driving force from the motor; and a flexible cover member configured to cover the second hole, wherein the cover member contacts the shaft portion of the motor when the shaft portion of the motor is inserted into the second hole.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably attachable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, the main body including: a fixing portion that includes a heating rotation member; and a mounting portion on which the cartridge is mounted, the fixing portion including a fixing shutter movable between a first position where a part of the heating rotation member is covered and a second position where the part of the heating rotation member is exposed, the fixing shutter including a force receiving portion that receives a force for causing the fixing shutter to move from the first position to the second position, the cartridge including a photosensitive member, a frame that supports the photosensitive member, and a pressing portion that presses the force receiving portion of the fixing shutter while the cartridge is being mounted on the mounting portion.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a main body, a stack unit having a contact portion and a stack portion on which a sheet is to be placed, a conveyance guide, and a moving member having a contacted portion. The stack unit can be inserted into and extracted from the main body. The conveyance guide can be located at a guide position for guiding the sheet conveyed on a conveying path and a release position for releasing the conveying path. The moving member moves the conveyance guide from the guide position to the release position by moving in a first direction from a first to a second position. The moving member moves from the first position in a second direction opposite the first direction by the stack unit contact portion contacting the moving member contacted portion when the stack unit is inserted to and extracted from the main body.

Abstract: A coil spring unit includes a coil spring; and a metal plate supporting the coil spring, the metal plate including a plurality of supporting portions cooperative with each other to support the coil spring, wherein the supporting portions are provided by bending the metal plate at bending lines and have supporting surfaces substantially perpendicular to the bending lines, respectively, and wherein the supporting surfaces are substantially parallel with outside tangential lines of the coil spring and support the coil spring.

Abstract: A driving device includes a motor including a shaft portion provided with a gear portion; a side plate provided with a first hole through which the motor engages with the side plate and a second hole connecting with the first hole; a gear configured to engage with the gear portion provided on the shaft portion when the motor is fixed in the first hole, so as to be rotatable through transmission of a driving force from the motor; and a flexible cover member configured to cover the second hole, wherein the cover member contacts the shaft portion of the motor when the shaft portion of the motor is inserted into the second hole.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus includes a main body, a stack unit having a contact portion and a stack portion on which a sheet is to be placed, a conveyance guide, and a moving member having a contacted portion. The stack unit can be inserted into and extracted from the main body. The conveyance guide can be located at a guide position for guiding the sheet conveyed on a conveying path and a release position for releasing the conveying path. The moving member moves the conveyance guide from the guide position to the release position by moving in a first direction from a first to a second position. The moving member moves from the first position in a second direction opposite the first direction by the stack unit contact portion contacting the moving member contacted portion when the stack unit is inserted to and extracted from the main body.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding device having a separation pad holding unit, a separation pad fixing unit, and a compression unit while vibration damping unit(such as a sponge member and a Mylar member) that is attached to the compression unit does not contact the separation pad holding unit and the separation pad fixing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeding device having a separation pad holding unit, a separation pad fixing unit, and a compression unit while vibration damping unit(such as a sponge member and a Mylar member) that is attached to the compression unit does not contact the separation pad holding unit and the separation pad fixing unit.