Abstract: An image forming unit forms a toner image on an image carrier, and transfers the toner image to a recording medium. A voltage generation circuit generates a high voltage used for the image forming unit. A control circuit is connected to the voltage generation circuit via a cable, and controls the high voltage generated by the voltage generation circuit. A detection unit detects a current flowing in a load of the image forming unit to which the high voltage generated by the voltage generation circuit is applied. A determination unit determines an error in accordance with a current range in which the current detected by the detection unit falls. The current range is included among a plurality of current ranges that are in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of errors.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet material binding apparatus capable of shortening a user's waiting time required to bind sheets through a manual operation with a movable stapler. A CPU (162) of a sheet material binding apparatus (50) monitors whether or not an image forming apparatus (1) can execute image formation processing. When the image forming apparatus (1) can execute the image formation processing, the movable stapler is arranged at a standby position close to the image forming apparatus (1). When the image forming apparatus (1) cannot execute the image formation processing, on the other hand, the movable stapler is arranged at a position for performing the manual operation, to thereby bind the sheets through the manual operation immediately.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which can control to turn on/off the light emitting element depending on a sheet state on a manual sheet tray is provided. The image forming apparatus includes the manual feed tray on which sheet is placed. The image forming apparatus is configured to be switchable between normal power mode and power saving mode. In the normal power mode, normal power is supplied. In the power saving mode, less power is consumed as compared to the power consumed in the normal power mode. The image forming apparatus includes a manual sheet feeding sensor which detects presence/absence of the sheet on the manual feed tray. The image forming apparatus includes a sheet length sensor S and a sheet length sensor L which include light emitting element and light receiving element to detect approximate sheet length of sheet placed on the manual feed tray in a conveying direction.

Abstract: The power source board is arranged at a lower side on the back side of the main body of the image forming apparatus. The load control board is arranged at an upper side in a vertical direction of the power source board in such a manner that the load control board does not overlap with the power source board. For a board and load at a lower side when viewed from a load control board, a connector is arranged near the lower side of the load control board. For a board and load at an upper side of the load control board, a connector is arranged near the upper side of the load control board. Similarly, for boards and loads of right and left side, connectors are arranged near the respective right and left sides of the load control board.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a reading device; an operating portion; a light source; a rotary polygon mirror; a motor configured to rotate the rotary polygon mirror; and a motor control portion configured to start the motor to control the motor at a first rotation speed in response to a fact that a predetermined action is performed on one of the operating portion and the reading device in a stopped state of the rotary polygon mirror, and then to control the motor at a second rotation speed higher than the first rotation speed in response to an instruction to start image formation from the operating portion, the motor control portion being configured to control the motor at the second rotation speed, without controlling the motor at the first rotation speed, in response to a fact that the receiving portion receives image data before the motor reaches the first rotation speed.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking member, an optical sensor, a detected member, and a control unit. As an amount of sheets stacked on the stacking member decreases, the detected member moves from a first position in which optical sensor light is not interrupted, then once interrupts the light, and then moves to a second position in which the light is not interrupted. Information regarding an amount of sheets transmitted by the control unit, when stored information is about the detected member in the second position, is information notifying that an amount of sheets stacked on the stacking member is less than that of information regarding an amount of sheets stacked on the stacking member transmitted by the control unit when stored information is about the detected member is in the first position.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet material binding apparatus capable of shortening a user's waiting time required to bind sheets through a manual operation with a movable stapler. A CPU (162) of a sheet material binding apparatus (50) monitors whether or not an image forming apparatus (1) can execute image formation processing. When the image forming apparatus (1) can execute the image formation processing, the movable stapler is arranged at a standby position close to the image forming apparatus (1). When the image forming apparatus (1) cannot execute the image formation processing, on the other hand, the movable stapler is arranged at a position for performing the manual operation, to thereby bind the sheets through the manual operation immediately.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a plurality of process units; a circuit board configured to generate voltages to be applied to the plurality of process units; and a plurality of separate power feeding members configured to supply the voltages to the process units, wherein the plurality of separate power feeding members holds the circuit board, the circuit board including: a plurality of voltage output portions arranged at different positions in a direction along an outer edge of the circuit board; and a plurality of positioning holes configured to position the plurality of separate power feeding members, and wherein the plurality of separate power feeding members each includes: a connecting portion to be connected to a corresponding one of the voltage output portions; a positioning portion to be fitted into a corresponding one of the positioning holes; and a latching portion configured to latch the circuit board.

Abstract: To simplify control of a sheet feeding/conveying system while preventing a step-out phenomenon and saving power, provided is an image forming apparatus which detects a load angle of a first motor (M1) for conveying an n-th sheet (P) (where n is a natural number equal to or larger than 1). In accordance with the detected load angle, a current value for the first motor (M1) for conveying sheets (P) following the n-th sheet and a current value for a second motor (M2) for conveying the n-th and subsequent sheets (P) are set. Such control is executed when power is turned ON or the like.

Abstract: An image forming system which is capable of, when a manual stapling process is to be carried out on sheets, reducing waiting time for a user and decreasing power consumption. The image forming system has an image forming apparatus, which forms images on sheets, and a sheet post-processing apparatus. When the sheet post-processing apparatus is to shift into a power-saving state, a movable stapler is moved to a manual stapling position. When it is detected that sheets have been set into a sheet setting unit in a state in which the image forming apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus have shifted into the power-saving state, the image forming apparatus is held in the power-saving state, and the sheet post-processing apparatus is returned from the power-saving state.

Abstract: A sheet binding processing apparatus for avoiding the residual of binding member is provided. The sheet binding processing apparatus comprises a sheet insertion port through which a sheet bundle formed of a plurality of sheets S is inserted, a movable stapler for binding the sheet bundle inserted through the sheet insertion port, and a manual stapling sheet sensor for detecting, at a predetermined detection time interval, existence or non-existence of the sheet bundle in the sheet insertion port. When the manual stapling sheet sensor detects the existence of the sheet bundle, the sheet binding processing apparatus gives permission to bind the sheet bundle by the movable stapler.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: a plurality of process units; a circuit board configured to generate the voltages to be applied to the plurality of process units; and a plurality of separate power feeding members configured to supply the voltages to the process units, wherein the separate power feeding members holds the circuit board, the circuit board comprising: a plurality of voltage output portions arranged at different positions in a direction along an outer edge of the circuit board; and a plurality of positioning holes configured to position the plurality of separate power feeding members, and wherein the plurality of separate power feeding members each comprises: a connecting portion to be connected to a corresponding one of the voltage output portions; a positioning portion to be fitted into a corresponding one of the positioning holes; and a latching portion configured to latch the circuit board.

Abstract: In a heater unit for heating a sheet stored in a cassette, respective heating wires of a plurality of heater wires are arranged along an outer periphery of a heat transfer plate so as not to overlap each other, respective power supply wires of the plurality of heater wires are arranged inside a path formed by the heating wires, and both ends of each of the plurality of heater wires are connected to a connector.

Abstract: The power source board is arranged at a lower side on the back side of the main body of the image forming apparatus. The load control board is arranged at an upper side in a vertical direction of the power source board in such a manner that the load control board does not overlap with the power source board. For a board and load at a lower side when viewed from a load control board, a connector is arranged near the lower side of the load control board. For a board and load at an upper side of the load control board, a connector is arranged near the upper side of the load control board. Similarly, for boards and loads of right and left side, connectors are arranged near the respective right and left sides of the load control board.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus configured to apply a necessary amount of a lubricant to an image bearing member while preventing the lubricant from being excessively consumed. An intermediate transfer belt drive motor controlled by a PID controller drives an intermediate transfer belt. A brush rotation controller for controlling an application brush drive motor detects fluctuation in a frictional force between a cleaning blade and the intermediate transfer belt, and controls the application brush drive motor such that an amount of lubricant to be applied is an amount corresponding to the detected fluctuation in the frictional force.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an electrophotographic process is disclosed. The image forming apparatus detects a load angle of a motor associated with conveying of an n-th sheet. In accordance with the detected load angle, current values for motors associated with conveying of the n-th sheet, a current value for a motor associated with feeding of sheets following the n-th sheet, and a current value for a motor associated with conveying of the sheets following the n-th sheet are set. Such control is executed when power is turned ON or the like.

Abstract: A sheet binding processing apparatus for avoiding the residual of binding member is provided. The sheet binding processing apparatus comprises a sheet insertion port through which a sheet bundle formed of a plurality of sheets S is inserted, a movable stapler for binding the sheet bundle inserted through the sheet insertion port, and a manual stapling sheet sensor for detecting, at a predetermined detection time interval, existence or non-existence of the sheet bundle in the sheet insertion port. When the manual stapling sheet sensor detects the existence of the sheet bundle, the sheet binding processing apparatus gives permission to bind the sheet bundle by the movable stapler.

Abstract: A heating device capable of accurately determining a change in the state of a to-be-heated member, caused in a narrow area. An induction heating coil generates magnetic flux by flow of electric current therethrough. The fixing belt generates heat by the action of the magnetic flux generated by the induction heating coil. A first antenna is disposed at a location where the magnetic flux generated by the induction heating coil can be detected assuming that there is no fixing belt. A second antenna is disposed such that at least some area of the second antenna overlaps the first antenna. A control circuit determines whether or not a state of the fixing belt has changed, based on a result of detection by the first antenna and a result of detection by the second antenna.

Abstract: An image forming system which is capable of, when a manual stapling process is to be carried out on sheets, reducing waiting time for a user and decreasing power consumption. The image forming system has an image forming apparatus, which forms images on sheets, and a sheet post-processing apparatus. When the sheet post-processing apparatus is to shift into a power-saving state, a movable stapler is moved to a manual stapling position. When it is detected that sheets have been set into a sheet setting unit in a state in which the image forming apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus have shifted into the power-saving state, the image forming apparatus is held in the power-saving state, and the sheet post-processing apparatus is returned from the power-saving state.

Abstract: Provided is a sheet material binding apparatus capable of shortening a user's waiting time required to bind sheets through a manual operation with a movable stapler. A CPU (162) of a sheet material binding apparatus (50) monitors whether or not an image forming apparatus (1) can execute image formation processing. When the image forming apparatus (1) can execute the image formation processing, the movable stapler is arranged at a standby position close to the image forming apparatus (1). When the image forming apparatus (1) cannot execute the image formation processing, on the other hand, the movable stapler is arranged at a position for performing the manual operation, to thereby bind the sheets through the manual operation immediately.