Abstract: A docking system may repeatedly dock a movable sensor module relative to another module with high precision. The docking system may move with minimal constraints and several degrees of freedom. The docking system may be particularly useful for precisely locating a movable sensor module relative to another module, such as a full width array sensor relative to a photoreceptor module within an image forming apparatus. A high degree of freedom may be achieved through use of a series of at least three spherical bearing connections that enable freedom of movement about X, Y and Z axes.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided including a frame having a portion upon which a printhead is adapted to be mounted. The printhead may include a housing including a main body, at least one flexible mounting beam extending from the main body, and at least one structural member coupled to the at least one flexible mounting beam. The printhead may also include a skew correction mechanism mounted to the printhead housing. The skew correction mechanism may include an adjustment member capable of engaging at least one surface on the printhead housing so as to adjust the position of the printhead housing relative to the frame portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes LED heads protected from scratching. An optical head is mounted on an inner side of a lid pivotally mounted to a body of the apparatus. A protector is mounted to the lid. A mechanism is operatively coupled to the lid such that when the lid is positioned at an open position, the protector is at a protection position where the protector covers a light-emitting surface of the optical head and when the lid is positioned at a closed position, the protector is at an exposure position where the protector does not cover the light-emitting surface of the optical head. When the lid is pivoted from the closed position to a position at which the lid forms an angle with the body, the mechanism begins to cause the protector to move from the exposure position toward the protection position.

Abstract: A docking system may repeatedly dock a movable sensor module relative to another module with high precision. The docking system may move with minimal constraints and several degrees of freedom. The docking system may be particularly useful for precisely locating a movable sensor module relative to another module, such as a full width array sensor relative to a photoreceptor module within an image forming apparatus. A high degree of freedom may be achieved through use of a series of at least three spherical bearing connections that enable freedom of movement about X, Y and Z axes.

Abstract: A scanner unit is revolvable disposed to a recording unit. The recording unit and the scanner unit are coupled with each other with a damper unit including a holder, a rod, and a spring. The damper unit is disposed so that the operating direction of the spring switches in process of the opening and the closing of the scanner unit. A guiding surface capable of abutting on the projection disposed on the rod is provided in the recording unit. The projection abuts on the guiding surface before the operating direction of the spring switches in process of the movement of the scanner unit from its opened position to its closed position.

Abstract: A substrate supporting frame, a substrate supporting frame assembly including the frame, a method of framing a substrate using the frame, a method of fabricating a donor substrate using the substrate supporting frame assembly, and a method of fabricating an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) using the donor substrate each include a substrate supporting frame having a main body having an opening, a plurality of pins protruding from at least two sides of a top surface of the main body, and outer pressing units for respectively pressing the plurality of pins outward from the main body.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, which comprises a contamination prevention member that covers a top surface of a light window with one side exposed to an outside of a main body, which prevents a contamination material, such as dust, from getting onto the light window, and which a user can recognize and remove easily.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a rigid-body plate, which is to be placed across a scanning unit for constituting a housing, also serves as an upper cover of the scanning unit, and the scanning unit is suspended on the rigid-body plate at an interior position from a top cover of an upper portion of the housing of the image forming apparatus. This obviates a necessity for interposing, between the scanning unit and a photosensitive drum, a rigid-body plate or the like used for mounting the scanning unit, thereby shortening a distance between the scanning unit and the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: After having been reflected by a first return mirror, a light beam deflected by a polygon mirror is caused to travel toward a second return mirror disposed in a position below a base section of the polygon mirror by way of an opening. An image forming apparatus is configured so as to satisfy a relationship of a<b and another relationship of c<b, given that an optical path length from a reflection surface of the polygon mirror to a reflection surface of the first return mirror is taken as “a”; another optical path length from the reflection surface of the first return mirror to a reflection surface of the second return mirror is taken as “b”; and still another optical path length from the reflection surface of the second return mirror to the surface of the photosensitive member is taken as “c.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for digitally generating images on photosensitive material comprising a light source, a liquid crystal display (LCD) unit and imaging optics. According to the invention, the LCD unit and the imaging optics are mounted in the same lens tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling printing plates contains at least one image-setting device and a frame that at least partially encloses the image-setting device. The image-setting device is decoupled from the frame via decoupling feet that stand on the floor through cutouts in the frame. If the image-setting device is decoupled from the frame, it is problematic or at least time-consuming to align the image-setting device and the frame with respect to one another. Alignment is particularly necessary when the frame contains further processing stations and transport systems. Simpler and more rapid alignment can be achieved by at least one guiding alignment element assisting the alignment of the image-setting device and of the frame with respect to one another.

Abstract: In a laser printer using a plurality of laser scan units, a laser scan unit is capable of manually adjusting a plurality of laser beams to be parallel. The laser scan unit assembly includes a laser scan unit having a window on a front surface through which a laser beam is emitted, a hinge portion provided at one side of the laser scan unit to pivotably dispose the laser scan unit on the body, and an adjusting portion provided on the side of the laser scan unit opposite from the hinge portion, to adjust an amount the laser scan unit pivots. The body has a hinge supporting portion provided thereon to support rotation of the hinge portion. The hinge portion is formed as a hinge shaft and the hinge supporting portion is formed as a groove to support the hinge shaft. The adjusting portion includes a first adjusting unit which is an inclined surface, and a second adjusting unit which is a screw and is provided on the body.

Abstract: A method for improving the operation of an electrophotographic printer. The method includes providing an electrophotographic printer containing a laser scanning unit. A torsion oscillator for the laser scanning unit is enclosed in closed compartment. The closed compartment includes side walls having first and second side wall edges, a bottom wall attached on the first side wall edges, and a cover attached adjacent to the second side wall edges. The closed compartment is sufficient to reduce stray air currents from adjacent the torsion oscillator thereby improving the operation of the electrophotographic printer.

Abstract: An image forming device equipped with a light scanning device having a polygon mirror that deflects laser light by rotating, a focusing element for focusing deflected laser light onto a photosensitive body, and a reflection mirror reflecting and guiding to the photosensitive body the laser light which passes through the focusing element, given that a distance L between an end surface of the focusing element and the reflection mirror is 8 mm?L?25 mm, and an angle ? formed by incident light and reflected light of the reflection mirror is 25°???45°, the focusing element, the reflection mirror, and the photosensitive body are disposed such that a relationship between L and ? satisfies 8 mm ?Ltan??12 mm is provided.

Abstract: Provided is a small-sized electrophotographic apparatus for which maintenance such as disposal of a jam of sheets, replacement of consumables including toner, or replacement of components to be periodically replaced can be facilitated.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first support member, an image carrying member configured to carry a toner image thereon, and an optical writing apparatus connected to the first support member and configured to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrying member. The optical writing apparatus includes an optical system having at least one optical element, a first casing configured to support the optical system, and a second casing configured to encase the first casing and to prevent intrusion of dust to the optical system.

Abstract: Raster Output Scanner (ROS) shutter system capable of blocking and unblocking harmful radiation selectably, semi-automatically or automatically. The system and uses thereof can be applied to various fields including scanners and printers.

Abstract: A substrate supporting frame, a substrate supporting frame assembly including the frame, a method of framing a substrate using the frame, a method of fabricating a donor substrate using the substrate supporting frame assembly, and a method of fabricating an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) using the donor substrate each include a substrate supporting frame having a main body having an opening, a plurality of pins protruding from at least two sides of a top surface of the main body, and outer pressing units for respectively pressing the plurality of pins outward from the main body.

Abstract: An exposure device has a light emitting unit for emitting a laser beam based on an image signal. The laser beam emitted from the light emitting unit is incident on a polygon mirror through a cylindrical lens. The laser beam reflected on the polygon mirror is illuminated on the surface of a photo sensitive drum through two f? lenses and a mirror. By doing so, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a drum surface on the basis of an image signal. Further, the exposure device has a housing for holding the light emitting unit, cylindrical lens, polygon mirror, f? lenses and mirror in a mutually and highly accurate state. A dowel is so provided as to project from the bottom of the housing and functions as a rotation shaft for rotating the exposure device. The dowel is provided on an axis passing through an exposure light spot illuminated in the drum surface by the laser beam.

Abstract: A plate is consecutively mounted on the outer peripheral surface of a recording drum under pressure from a squeegee roller, with its leading edge clamped by leading edge clamps. Guide members for causing the squeegee roller to climb up thereon are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the recording drum such that the squeegee roller is prevented from interfering with the leading edge clamps during plate mounting. Without the need to stop the rotation of the recording drum during plate mounting, a time period required for plate mounting can be reduced.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a photoreceptor having an image carrying surface, first and second exposing devices to expose the image carrying surface to form first and second latent images, and first and second developing devices to develop the first and second latent images to form first and second toner images on the image carrying surface. The first exposing device has a light source which emits a light beam, a deflector which deflects the light beam on the image carrying surface to form a scanning line, a first optical system to focus the light beam, and a first adjustor which adjusts an alignment between the first optical system and the image carrying surface for correcting variation of lateral magnification in the primary scanning direction of the optical system so that the first toner image and the second toner image are superposed on a recording sheet.

Abstract: A laser beam isolation apparatus of a laser printer includes a blocking portion formed on the laser scanning unit to be moved between a blocking position to block a passing hole of the laser scanning unit and an open position to open the passing hole, a guide portion mounted in the laser scanning unit relative to the blocking portion, guiding the blocking portion to move between the blocking position and the open position, and an operating portion formed on the developer unit. The operating portion is operated to move the blocking portion along the guide portion. During a removal of the developer unit, the blocking portion that blocks a laser beam of a laser diode from being emitted out of the laser scanning unit is moved to the blocking position by its own weight.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical writing device to be supported at a predetermined position in an image forming apparatus, as well as an image forming apparatus provided with the optical writing device. The optical writing device has a support unit supporting an optical writing head. The support unit includes a first block and a second block supporting one end and the other end of the LED writing head, respectively, and a connecting member interconnecting the first block and the second block while maintaining a positional relationship between the first block and the second block. The connecting member of the support unit is made most easily deformable among the parts constituting the optical writing device.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus has light beam passing from the deflector directly to the image carrying surface. The light beam is not bent to the image carrying surface. The apparatus detects movement of optical system and it uses the detected movement to correct the inclination of the optical system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image reading recording apparatus comprising an image reading section for reading an image on an original document, an image recording section for recording an image on a recording medium and a control section for controlling the entire apparatus. The control section is disposed below the image reading section and above the image recording section and disposed on a rear side of an apparatus body.

Abstract: The integrated image reading/writing head (X) includes a substrate (4) having a surface (40) provided with a reading circuit including a plurality of light receiving elements (20), a plurality of printing elements (60) and a writing circuit for controlling the printing elements (60). The substrate (4) is fitted with a connector (8) for electrical wiring. The connector (8) is electrically connected with each of the reading circuit, the printing elements and the writing circuit.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus including a laser diode light source fittingly inserted into a holding member. The holding member is formed of a resin material having a thermal conductivity of 0.7 w/m°K or more and filled with either glass fiber or metal oxide or both, or aluminum. A heat radiating fin projecting radially is formed on an outer circumferential portion of the cylindrical body of the holding member. With this structure, temperature rise due to heat emission from the laser diode can be suppressed and deterioration of the laser diode can be prevented. This structure simply and inexpensively provides stable optical properties to optical scanning and image forming devices.

Abstract: A scanning imaging optical component is used in an optical scanning device which deflects a beam from a light source by a light deflector, condenses the deflected beam toward a surface to be scanned by a scanning imaging optical system, forms a beam spot on the surface to be scanned, and performs optical scanning of the surface to be scanned. The optical component forms at least a part of the scanning imaging optical system, and at least a part of a surface of the optical component other than an effective optical surface is made to be a roughened surface, and roughness thereof is such that: Rmax>0.5 (?m).

Abstract: A laser scanning apparatus, including: a laser light source; a rotary polygon mirror for deflecting a laser beam emitted from the laser light source for scanning; an imaging optical system for focusing the laser beam deflected by the rotary polygon mirror into an image; a containing member for containing the rotary polygon mirror and the imaging optical system; a first conductive cover member for closing a first opening portion of the containing member; a second conductive cover member for closing a second opening portion of the containing member; and conductive connection members for electrically connecting between the first conductive cover member and the second conductive cover member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a ventilating device that can effectively cool heated components and remove ozone produced in the apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a writing device. Upper and lower ducts are provided to the writing device having a housing of the writing device therebetween to form an outside-air flowing path on and beneath the writing device. Outside-air intaken by an air intake fan flows through the upper and lower ducts separately. In the writing device, scanning optical components, such as an f&thgr; lens, and a mirror formed of a plastic are disposed.

Abstract: A laser scanning apparatus, including: a laser light source; a rotary polygon mirror for deflecting a laser beam emitted from the laser light source for scanning; an imaging optical system for focusing the laser beam deflected by the rotary polygon mirror into an image; a containing member for containing the rotary polygon mirror and the imaging optical system; a first conductive cover member for closing a first opening portion of the containing member; a second conductive cover member for closing a second opening portion of the containing member; and conductive connection members for electrically connecting between the first conductive cover member and the second conductive cover member.

Abstract: A recording apparatus builds up positive pressure in its interior with air being supplied by a fan. Filter rejects any dust and dirt contained in the air so they will not enter the apparatus. Humidifier has a water-imbibed water-retaining material in its interior and humidifies the interior of the recording apparatus so that the internal humidity is always maintained at an optimum value. The recording apparatus ensures that there will be no change of the internal humidity that would otherwise deteriorate the performance of the constituent members of the apparatus or reduce the sensitivity of the sensitive material in the recording medium and this contributes to preventing unevenness in the finished image. The recording apparatus is also free from the development of static charge in the areas of contact between the recording medium and the constituent members and from the subsequent occurrence of transport jam and failures in electronic components.

Abstract: An accurate system (501) for the magnetic alignment of an imaging subsystem (468) of an image processing apparatus (10) includes: 1) a master alignment fixture (534) including: a) two like, magnet-attracting translation-bearing rods (206, 208); b) a drum axis tool (526) or drum (300); c) a device (535) for supporting the translation-bearing rods (206, 208) in a parallel, planar relationship; d) a device (540) for supporting the drum axis tool (526) or drum (300) parallel to the translation-bearing rods (206, 208); and e) a device (546) for measuring and aligning the translation-bearing rods (206, 208) in relation to the parallel drum axis tool (526) or drum (300); and 2) a removable set apparatus (502) attachable to the master alignment fixture (534), including: a) a tube (506) or rod; b) aligned, downwardly extending first set arms (510) with magnets (518) attached, the magnets being detachably attachable to the translation-bearing rod; and c) at least two second, extended arms (511) that are detachably at

Abstract: An accurate system (501) for the magnetic alignment of an imaging subsystem (468) of an image processing apparatus (10) includes:

Abstract: At an exposure section, a recording head carries out exposure processing by irradiating a light beam from a fiber array light source through a collimator lens and a condensing lens to a printing plate. A temperature sensor of the recording head measures temperature of the recording head. A pulse motor is driven on the basis of the measured temperature, and thus a separation between the collimator lens and the condensing lens is adjusted. Consequently, regardless of expansion or contraction of the recording head due to temperature changes, the separation between the collimator lens and the condensing lens can be kept constant by the pulse motor. Therefore, even when the light beam incident on the condensing lens is divergent, a shift in magnification of the recorded image can be prevented regardless of the temperature variations of the recording head.

Abstract: When a cover body at a closing position is pulled up with respect to a main body, then a lock lever attached to the cover body abuts against a hook body of the main body, regulating a rattle of the cover body with respect to the main body. When a user lifts up a multi-function peripheral device by grabbing the lock lever, the lock lever comes into engagement with the hook body, thereby preventing the lock lever from opening.

Abstract: A scanning imaging optical component is used in an optical scanning device which deflects a beam from a light source by a light deflector, condenses the deflected beam toward a surface to be scanned by a scanning imaging optical system, forms a beam spot on the surface to be scanned, and performs optical scanning of the surface to be scanned. The optical component forms at least a part of the scanning imaging optical system, and at least a part of a surface of the optical component other than an effective optical surface is made to be a roughened surface, and roughness thereof is such that: Rmax>0.5 (&mgr;m).

Abstract: A printer for printing on a recording medium with a plurality of processes includes a first processing section for making a first process on the recording media; a second processing section arranged close to the first processing section for making a second process different from the first process on the recording media on which the first process was made, thereby obtaining an image on a surface of the recording medium; and a recording medium feed path formed between the first processing section and the second processing section. The entire apparatus is made compact without decreasing a recording medium feeding performance and a printing process capability by that a plurality of processing units serving for the printing processes and recording medium feed path linking those units are arranged reasonably.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a scanning optical apparatus that has a light source emitting a light beam deflecting and scanning device for deflecting and scanning the light beam emitted from the light source, a frame body provided with a side wall and containing the light source and the deflecting and scanning device therein, and a supporting member for supporting the frame body, the frame body having a fixed portion fixed to and supported by the supporting member, and an overhanging portion overhanging from the fixed portion, the side wall having a cut-away portion between the fixed portion and the overhanging portion.

Abstract: In a multi-beam light source device of the invention, a light source unit holds light sources and coupling lenses, the coupling lenses coupling light beams emitted by the light sources. A base member holds the light source unit such that the light beams from the light source unit held by the base member are rotatable in a direction perpendicular to a main scanning direction of an optical scanning device. An angle adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting a mounting angle of the light source unit relative to the base member, so that respective pitches of beam spots, formed on a scanned surface by the light beams, in the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction are variable in accordance with the mounting angle adjustment.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a photoreceptor having a image carrying surface, an exposing device to imagewise expose the image carrying surface to form a latent image, and a developing device to develop the latent image to form a toner image on the image carrying surface. The exposing device has a light source which emits a light beam, a deflector which deflects the light beam to form a scanning line with the light beam on the image carrying surface, a cylindrical lens between the deflector and the image carrying surface which focuses the light beam on the image carrying surface, and an adjusting mechanism which adjusts an inclination of the scanning line and adjusts variance in magnification of an image on the scanning line.

Abstract: Optical systems are disposed in the two symmetrical direction with respect to an optical deflector, and direct the optical beams deflected by the optical deflector into respective surfaces to be scanned, and forming images thereon. A housing encloses a plurality of light sources, optical deflector and optical systems, the housing includes a base plate on which the optical deflector and optical system, and a side wall surrounding the base plate; the base plate divides the housing into two sections; the plurality of light sources are disposed on the side wall; and optical components of the optical systems are distributed into the two sections of the housing.

Abstract: A scan-exposure device is provided wherein light beams becoming out of focus due to temperature changes is prevented and focus adjustment can be easily carried out, when a recording medium is subjected to scan-exposure by a plurality of light sources. A stage of an exposing head having a plurality of light source units provided thereon is supported by bases disposed at longitudinal direction opposite end portions thereof, and bases move in a sub-scanning direction which is the longitudinal direction of the stage when driven by a sub-scanning motor. The bases move relatively, in proportion to expansion or contraction of the stage, thereby preventing deformation of the stage due to temperature changes so that dislocation does not occur and light beams emitted from the light source units do not become out of focus due to deformation of the stage.

Abstract: A multiple-beam laser diode adjusting device includes a multiple-beam laser diode which emits a plurality of laser beams, a circuit board on which a circuit for controlling a laser-emission of the multiple-beam laser diode is mounted, and an adjustable conductive support, positioned between the multiple-beam laser diode and the circuit board, which allows the multiple-beam laser diode to be rotated relative to the circuit board while ensuring an electrical connection between the multiple-beam laser diode and the circuit board.

Abstract: To provide an exposing apparatus including a first fixing member which positions and fixes a vicinity of an exposing unit on a side of a photosensitive body, and a second fixing member which fixes a vicinity of an end of the exposing unit on a side opposite to a location fixed by the first fixing member for preventing the exposing unit from being inclined when positioning and fixing the exposing unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a machine frame, a printhead housing containing a printhead for generating a laser beam, and a position sensing device. The position sensing device includes a position sensing device frame and a position sensor for sensing a position of the laser beam. The position sensing device frame is interposed between the machine frame and the printhead housing. Each of the machine frame, the printhead housing and the position sensing device frame include at least one reference feature that in combination accurately reference the position of the printhead housing to the machine frame.

Abstract: A hose and cable routing system for routing and flexing a coolant supply hose, a coolant return hose, and an electrical cable to a laser system mounted on a movable optical carriage in an imaging system without introducing mechanical disturbances to the optical carriage. The hose and cable routing system includes a support tray, mounted to the imaging system, for supporting the coolant hoses and electrical cable, and a movable support bracket for supporting and running the coolant hoses and electrical cable from the support tray to the optical carriage. A track is provided to guide the movable support bracket along the imaging system in response to a displacement of the optical carriage. A vibration isolator is mounted between the support bracket and the optical carriage. Other embodiments of the hose and cable routing system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A honeycomb structure is formed integral with a raster output scanning system housing. A constrained layer damper is bonded to the honeycomb structure and the raster output scanning system is mounted on the constrained layer damper. The honeycomb structure and constrained layer damper provide support and reduce vibrations to the raster output scanning system. The cells of the honeycomb structure can be irregular in height, thickness, density or shape to further support and damp vibrations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image bearing components and a plurality of image writing units for writing an image on each of the image bearing components. The apparatus also includes a frame for supporting the plurality of the image bearing components and the plurality of image writing units. The frame has a plurality a of first holding parts for holding both ends of each of the image bearing components and a plurality of second holding parts for holding both ends of each of the image writing units.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for an optical head includes a cylindrical photoconductive drum, an optical head, and at least one spacer. The cylindrical photoconductive drum extends in a direction of a longitudinal axis thereof. The optical head extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. The spacer is disposed to abut the photoconductive drum, limiting a distance between the optical head and the photoconductive drum. The photoconductive drum has a photoconductor and the spacer is in contact with the photoconductor through sliding friction. The spacer has a first surface in contact with the photoconductor. The photoconductor has a second surface in contact with the first surface. The first surface has a first curvature and the second surface has a second curvature. When the first surface is pressed against the second surface, the spacer may deform resiliently so that the first curvature becomes substantially equal to the second curvature.