Abstract: A toner conveying apparatus includes: a first conveying portion to convey the toner, the first conveying portion having a first screw that is rotatable, and a first conveying passage forming member that forms a first conveying space so as to surround the first screw; and a second conveying portion to convey upward the toner from the first conveying portion, the second conveying portion having a second screw that is rotatable, and a second conveying passage forming member that forms a second conveying space so as to surround the second screw and that includes a connecting portion. The first conveying space includes a first region and a second region that is closer to the connecting portion than the first region is, and a cross-sectional area of the first conveying space is smaller in the second region than in the first region.

Abstract: A toner conveying apparatus conveying toner used for image forming includes a first conveying portion to convey the toner and having a first screw and a first conveying passage forming member that forms a first conveying space, and a second conveying portion to convey upward the toner and including a second screw and a second conveying passage forming member that forms a second conveying space. The second conveying passage forming member has a connecting port connected to the first conveying passage forming member. The second screw overlaps with the first screw viewed in a direction of a rotational axial line of the first rotation shaft. A cross-sectional area of the first conveying space orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axial line in a second region is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first conveying space orthogonal to the direction of the rotational axial line in a first region.

Abstract: A toner conveying apparatus includes a frame body, a conveyance member, a light transmission portion, a light emission portion, a light reception portion, and a rubbing member. The frame body forms a conveyance passage surrounded by a wall portion and is provided with a reception inlet for receiving toner from outside. The conveyance member is provided in the conveyance passage and rotates around a first rotation axis to convey the toner. The light transmission portion that is provided in the wall portion and has translucency. The light emission portion emits light toward an inside of the conveyance passage through the light transmission portion. The light reception portion receives the light emitted from the light emission portion through the light transmission portion. The rubbing member rubs on the light transmission portion by being rotated around a second rotation axis extending in a direction crossing the first rotation axis.

Abstract: A toner conveying apparatus includes: a first conveying portion to convey the toner, the first conveying portion having a first screw that is rotatable, and a first conveying passage forming member that forms a first conveying space so as to surround the first screw; and a second conveying portion to convey upward the toner from the first conveying portion, the second conveying portion having a second screw that is rotatable, and a second conveying passage forming member that forms a second conveying space so as to surround the second screw and that includes a connecting portion. The first conveying space includes a first region and a second region that is closer to the connecting portion than the first region is, and a cross-sectional area of the first conveying space is smaller in the second region than in the first region.

Abstract: A toner conveying apparatus includes a frame body, a conveyance member, a light transmission portion, a light emission portion, a light reception portion, and a rubbing member. The frame body forms a conveyance passage surrounded by a wall portion and is provided with a reception inlet for receiving toner from outside. The conveyance member is provided in the conveyance passage and rotates around a first rotation axis to convey the toner. The light transmission portion that is provided in the wall portion and has translucency. The light emission portion emits light toward an inside of the conveyance passage through the light transmission portion. The light reception portion receives the light emitted from the light emission portion through the light transmission portion. The rubbing member rubs on the light transmission portion by being rotated around a second rotation axis extending in a direction crossing the first rotation axis.

Abstract: A toner conveying apparatus conveying toner used for image forming includes a first conveying portion to convey the toner and having a first screw and a first conveying passage forming member that forms a first conveying space, and a second conveying portion to convey upward the toner and including a second screw and a second conveying passage forming member that forms a second conveying space. The second conveying passage forming member has a connecting port connected to the first conveying passage forming member. The second screw overlaps with the first screw viewed in a direction of a rotational axial line of the first rotation shaft. A cross-sectional area of the first conveying space orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axial line in a second region is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first conveying space orthogonal to the direction of the rotational axial line in a first region.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a feeding unit, a detection unit provided downstream of the feeding unit, a measurement unit that measures a measured time from the start of conveyance of a recording material to the detection of the recording material, and a determination unit that performs renewal determination for determining whether the feeding unit has been replaced with a new feeding unit. Thus, replacement of the feeding unit with a new feeding unit can automatically be detected.

Abstract: A toner conveying apparatus includes: a first conveying portion to convey the toner, the first conveying portion having a first screw that is rotatable, and a first conveying passage forming member that forms a first conveying space so as to surround the first screw ; and a second conveying portion to convey upward the toner from the first conveying portion, the second conveying portion having a second screw that is rotatable, and a second conveying passage forming member that forms a second conveying space so as to surround the second screw and that includes a connecting portion. The first conveying space includes a first region and a second region that is closer to the connecting portion than the first region is, and a cross-sectional area of the first conveying space is smaller in the second region than in the first region.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge, a first door, and a second door. The first door is movable between a first closed position and a first open position to permit dismounting the cartridge from the main. The second door is movable, independently of the first door, between a second closed position for closing the main assembly and a second opened position for uncovering the first door and for opening the main assembly. The second door is provided with a recess. When the first door is in the first open position, the recess of the second door is capable of accommodating at least a part of the first door. The cartridge is capable of being inserted into the main assembly while sliding on the second door and then on the first door.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that reduces image artifacts caused by the back tension of a separating unit. A control unit decreases the number of rotations (the rotational speed) of a resist roller pair after the leading edge of a sheet reaches a transfer position.

Abstract: Provided is a one-way clutch in which a rotating direction of a first rotating member with respect to a second rotating member is switched. The first rotating member includes a recessed portion that receives a planetary gear and, in an outer circumferential portion thereof, an engaging portion that engages with the planetary gear, whereby relative rotation of the planetary gear and the first and second rotating members is switched to rotatable and unrotatable. When the first rotating member is relatively rotating with respect to the second rotating member, the planetary gear meshes with an internal gear of the second rotating member, and the position of the planetary gear is thereby restricted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a light-emission unit, a reflecting member, a light-receiving unit, a detection unit, a ventilation unit configured to send air to the reflecting member, and a control unit. The control unit adjusts at least one of an operation duration and an airflow rate of the ventilation unit, in accordance with a detection signal outputted by the light-receiving unit when a sheet is not at a position where light crosses a conveyance path.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that reduces image artifacts caused by the back tension of a separating unit. A control unit decreases the number of rotations (the rotational speed) of a resist roller pair after the leading edge of a sheet reaches a transfer position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cartridge, a photosensitive drum and a cleaning member for the drum; a first door movable between a first closing position and a first opening position to permit dismounting the cartridge from the main assembly; and a second door at a position where it covers the first door, the second door being movable, independently of the first door, between a second closing position for closing the main assembly and a second position for uncovering the first door and for opening the main assembly. The second door is provided with a recess. When the first door is in the first opening position, the recess of the second door is capable of accommodating at least a part of the first door. The cartridge is capable of being inserted into the main assembly while sliding on the second door and then on the first door.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a sheet stacking portion to be mounted into and drawn out of a mounting portion and provided with a side plate including a grip portion by which the sheet stacking portion can be drawn out in the draw-out direction. The sheet stacking portion is supported to be slidable in a draw-out direction by a rail, and the rail is supported to be slidable in the draw-out direction by a rail supporting portion provided in the mounting portion. A rotator is provided on either the rail supporting portion or the rail and disposed in contact with the other of the rail supporting portion and the rail. The rail, the rail supporting portion and the rotator are disposed on one side in the width direction of the sheet stacking portion, and the grip portion is disposed on the other side in the width direction.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a feeding unit, a detection unit provided downstream of the feeding unit, a measurement unit that measures a measured time from the start of conveyance of a recording material to the detection of the recording material, and a determination unit that performs renewal determination for determining whether the feeding unit has been replaced with a new unit. Thus, replacement of the feeding unit with a new unit can automatically be detected.

Abstract: Provided is a one-way clutch in which a rotating direction of a first rotating member with respect to a second rotating member is switched, the first rotating member including a recessed portion that receives a planetary gear and including, in an outer circumferential portion thereof, an engaging portion that engages with the planetary gear, whereby relative rotation of the planetary gear and the first and second rotating members is switched to rotatable and unrotatable. When the first rotating member is relatively rotating with respect to the second rotating member, the planetary gear meshes with an internal gear of the second rotating member, and the position of the planetary gear is thereby restricted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a light-emission unit, a reflecting member, a light-receiving unit, a detection unit, a ventilation unit configured to send air to the reflecting member; and a control unit. The control unit adjusts at least one of an operation duration and an airflow rate of the ventilation unit, in accordance with a detection signal outputted by the light-receiving unit when a sheet is not at a position where light crosses a conveyance path.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that reduces image artifacts caused by the back tension of a separating unit. A control unit decreases the number of rotations (the rotational speed) of a resist roller pair after the leading edge of a sheet reaches a transfer position.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes a sheet stacking portion to be mounted into and drawn out of a mounting portion and provided with a side plate including a grip portion by which the sheet stacking portion can be drawn out in the draw-out direction. The sheet stacking portion is supported to be slidable in a draw-out direction by a rail, and the rail is supported to be slidable in the draw-out direction by a rail supporting portion provided in the mounting portion. A rotator is provided on either the rail supporting portion or the rail and disposed in contact with the other of the rail supporting portion and the rail. The rail, the rail supporting portion and the rotator are disposed on one side in the width direction of the sheet stacking portion, and the grip portion is disposed on the other side in the width direction.