УЗЕЛ БАРАБАНА, КАРТРИДЖ, ЭЛЕКТРОФОТОГРАФИЧЕСКОЕ УСТРОЙСТВО ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЙ И МУФТА

Настоящее изобретение относится к электрофотографическому устройству формирования изображений, использующему электрофотографический процесс, узлу барабана, картриджу, муфте и т.п., используемым для электрофотографического устройства формирования изображений. Заявленная группа изобретений включает узел барабана, устанавливаемый с возможностью снятия в главном узле электрофотографического устройства формирования изображений, электрофотографическое устройство формирования изображений, содержащее картридж и главный узел электрофотографического устройства формирования изображений, в который может устанавливаться упомянутый картридж, картридж и муфту, способную зацепляться с ведущим валом, предусмотренным в главном узле электрофотографического устройства формирования изображений. Причем муфта содержит: участок восприятия движущей силы, выполненный с возможностью входить в паз, чтобы принимать движущую силу для вращения вращающегося элемента, имеющего поверхность для переноса проявителя; и поддерживающий ...

УСТРОЙСТВО ДЛЯ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЯ С КОРОНИРУЮЩИМ ЗАРЯДНЫМ УСТРОЙСТВОМ

... 1. Устройство для формирования изображения, включающее в себя: ! вращающийся фоточувствительный элемент; ! коронирующее зарядное устройство, обеспеченное отверстием, противолежащим поверхности упомянутого фоточувствительного элемента; ! средство формирования изображения для формирования порошкового изображения на упомянутом фоточувствительном элементе; ! затвор для открытия и закрытия упомянутого отверстия, относительно упомянутого фоточувствительного элемента; ! средство скольжения для скольжения в контакте с упомянутым фоточувствительным элементом; ! средство измерения для измерения времени, прошедшего с окончания формирования изображения; и ! средство управления для управления упомянутым устройством на основе выходных данных упомянутого средства измерения таким образом, чтобы затвор закрывался, а упомянутый фоточувствительный элемент вращался в контакте с упомянутым средством скольжения. ! 2. Устройство по п.1, в котором ! средство установки для изменяемого задания временного интервала ...

Bilderzeugungsgerät

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Erfassen der Differenzgeschwindigkeit zwischen einem Bildträger und einem Trägermaterial

Verfahren bei dem in einem Umdruckbereich (84) zwischen einem Bildträger (78, 78') und einem Trägermaterial (12) eine Differenzgeschwindigkeit erzeugt wird, und bei dem eine Abweichung der tatsächlichen Differenzgeschwindigkeit von einer Soll-Differenzgeschwindigkeit ermittelt wird, wobei die Spannung des Trägermaterials (12) als Maß für die Differenzgeschwindigkeit zwischen dem Bildträger (78, 78') und dem Trägermaterial (12) mit Hilfe einer Messeinrichtung (90) ermittelt wird.

PRINTER WITH CONTROLLING MEAN FOR THE SYNCHRONISATION OF THE RATE OF MOTION OF THE PHOTOCONDUCTOR AND THE FEED SPEED OF THE FEEDING ARRANGEMENT OF MEANS OF A MASTER SLAVECONTROLLERS AND FOR THE CONTROLLING OF THE SCANNING RATE OF THE EXPOSURE UNIT

Device and method for electrophoretic liquid development

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND PROCESS CARTRIDGE

An image forming apparatus comprising an electrophotographic photoreceptor, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a development unit, and a transfer unit, wherein the image forming apparatus conducts charging, exposure, development, and transfer while moving a circumferential surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor in a predetermined direction, the image forming apparatus further comprises a controlling unit which controls a moving velocity of the circumferential surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor so that a time required for processes from charging to development is changeable, the electrophotographic photoreceptor includes an undercoat layer and a photosensitive layer, and the undercoat layer includes a metal oxide particle and an acceptor compound having a group capable of reacting with the metal oxide particle.

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH MULTIPLE SPEED MODE

An electrophotographic copying apparatus having an electromechanical optical scanner, optical reflecting and focusing assembly, photosensitive latent electrostatic imaging assembly, electrostatic charge generator and applicator, and electrostatic toner applicator, wherein the scanner and photosensitive assembly have selectably variable operational speeds and the electrostatic charge and toner applicators have substantially constant application rates, and furtrher wherein the speeds of the scanner and photosensitive assembly may be selectably varied to maximize copying rate while minimizing electrostatic charge generation and electrostatic toner consumption.

Method and device for controlling motor, and image forming apparatus

A control unit controls a drive signal for determining a voltage to be supplied to the motor. A drive unit drives the motor by applying a current corresponding to the voltage determined based on the drive signal to the motor. The control unit includes a velocity detecting unit that detects a rotation velocity of the motor and an output unit that outputs the drive signal corresponding to a voltagewith which a current lower than a predetermined current limit is applied to the motor, based on the rotation velocity of the motor detected by the velocity detecting unit.

Method for controlling velocity ratio of image forming apparatus

APPARATUS OF FORMATION Of IMAGES

L'invention concerne un appareil de formation d'images. Cet appareil comporte un élément (1) porteur d'image sur lequel une image non fixée est formée, un moyen (3) de report de l'image non fixée sur un support d'enregistrement (P), et un moyen (4) destiné à chauffer et fixer l'image non fixée. Le moyen de fixage comporte un élément rotatif d'entraînement (7), par exemple, un rouleau presseur, destiné à transporter le support d'enregistrement pendant que l'image est reportée sur celui-ci. Un moyen (8) détecte une information concernant la vitesse périphérique du rouleau presseur et un moyen (15) règle la vitesse du mouvement de l'élément porteur d'image, par exemple, un tambour photosensible (1), sur la base du résultat de la détection. Ainsi, l'image n'est soumise à aucune déformation due à une dilatation thermique du rouleau presseur (7). Domaine d'application: copieurs, télécopieurs, imprimantes, etc.

COLOR REGISTRATION BY VARYING ROTATIONAL SPEED OF PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A rotational speed of an image bearing member on a downstream side is controlled so as to reduce a detection time difference between a leading end section of first electrostatic latent image indexes of an image bearing member and a leading end section of second electrostatic latent image indexes of a transfer medium in an area of a leading end margin preceding an effective image area.

System and methods for protecting printer consumables through positioning non-use zones

Sensitive consumable components of printing devices involved in the process of transferring and fixing an image with toner onto a print medium are protected from harmful exposure to the environment and handling through designating and consistently positioning non-use regions of the components toward exposure gaps in their protective housings upon the completion of every printing process. The need for shutter mechanisms on consumable housings to cover up exposure gaps to protect consumables while in a general handling environment is therefore reduced.

Copying apparatus equipped with brushless DC motor

A copying apparatus equipped with a brushless DC motor for driving a light source, a photoreceptor drum, etc. and including a motor locking circuit for locking the DC motor. The motor locking circuit, when an external force has been applied to a rotor of the DC motor while the DC motor is not being actuated, causes an electric current to flow through a stator coil of the DC motor such that the electric current produces a reaction force counteracting the external force.

Electrostatic copying apparatus

An electrostatic copying apparatus including detecting means for detecting the longitudinal size of the copying paper unit and a control means for operating the charging corona-discharge device only for a time period corresponding to the detected longitudinal size of the copying paper.

Multiple IOT photoreceptor belt seam synchronization

An imaging system includes a plurality of imaging engines each comprising a photoreceptor belt having a belt seam. A sensor determines a relative position of a first photoreceptor belt of a first one of the imaging engines relative to a second photoreceptor belt seam of a second one of the imaging engines. A controller controls a motor speed of one or more motors driving the photoreceptor belts, wherein an output of the sensor comprises a basis for adjustment of the motor by the controller for relative synchronizing of the first and second belts to avoid skipping pitches in one of the imaging engines due to relative belt seam positions.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording medium, includes a developer container configured to store developer, an image bearing member configured to be rotated and on which a latent image is formed, a developer bearing member configured to bear developer and to be rotated to develop the latent image, an agitation member configured to be rotated to agitate the developer stored in the developer container, and a control unit configured to control the rotations of the image bearing member, the developer bearing member, and the agitation member so as to rotate the agitation member while the image bearing member is not rotated.

LASER SCANNING DEVICE FOR SCANNING LIGHT BEAM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME

In a laser scanning device, a first light shielding portion and a second light shielding portion respectively shield a first light shielding region and a second light shielding region from a light beam. The first light shielding region is a part of a first region which is on one side of a target intermediate region and the second light shielding region is a part of a second region which is on the other side of the target intermediate region. The target intermediate region is a belt-like intermediate region of a light receiving surface of a light sensor. Widths of the first and second light shielding regions in the main scanning direction gradually expand from first and second base end portions to first and second side edges which are opposite ends of the light receiving surface in the sub scanning direction.

ROTATOR CONTROL DEVICE, CONVEYANCE DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND ROTATOR CONTROL METHOD

A rotator control device includes drivers to drive rotators for sheet conveyance, respectively; and a processor including a selector to select, from the rotators, a pair of a first rotator subjected to rotation speed adjustment and a second rotator adjacent to the first rotator, and an acquisition unit to acquire a torque-related value representing a driving torque value of a driver to drive the second rotator or a value proportional thereto. The processor further includes a speed adjuster to adjust a rotation speed of the first rotator to approximate a variation in the torque-related value to zero. The selector selects a subsequent pair after adjustment of the rotation speed, designates the first rotator of the preceding pair as the second rotator of the subsequent pair, and selects, as the first rotator, a rotator adjacent to the first rotator of the preceding pair, opposite the second rotator of the preceding pair.

Image forming apparatus with belt recognition device

The image forming apparatus includes a rotary belt member; a detector for detecting a position in a rotating direction of the belt member; a toner image forming device for forming a toner image at a predetermined position on the belt member based on a detection signal of the detector; and a recognition device for recognizing the type of belt member based on the detection signal. The apparatus is stopped or the information related to the belt member is notified based on the recognition result of the recognition device. Thus, by a simple configuration, failures caused by an unsuitable rotary belt member can be easily prevented.

Drive device and image forming apparatus including same

A drive device to rotatively drive N number of image carriers. The drive device includes a single drive motor to generate torque to be transmitted to the image carriers, N number of drive gears to transmit the torque to the image carriers, an input gear rotatively driven by the torque and engaging a first drive gear to transmit the torque to the first drive gear, and N1 number of idler gears provided between each of the drive gears, respectively, to transmit the torque from the drive gears provided on an upstream side to the drive gears provided on a downstream side in a direction of transmission of torque. The torque generated by the drive motor is sequentially transmitted from the first drive gear to the Nth drive gear via the idler gears to rotatively drive the image carriers.

DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A developing device includes: an image bearing member; a plurality of developing rollers each supplying toner to the image bearing member, and developing an electrostatic latent image on the image bearing member into a toner image; and a hardware processor analyzing values representing density fluctuations during the toner being supplied from the developing rollers to the image bearing member, for the respective developing rollers, and correcting a control value for an image density of at least one developing roller among the developing rollers based on an result of the analyzing so as to eliminate the density fluctuations, in consideration of an effect caused at the developing roller on a downstream side in a rotational direction of the image bearing member by correcting the control value for the image density of the developing roller on an upstream side. 1. A developing device , comprising:an image bearer that forms an electrostatic latent image;a plurality of developing rollers each of which supplies toner to the image bearer, and develops the electrostatic latent image on the image bearer into a toner image; anda hardware processor that analyzes values representing density fluctuations during the toner being supplied from the developing rollers to the image bearer, for the respective developing rollers, and corrects a control value for an image density of at least one developing roller among the developing rollers based on a result of the analyzing so as to eliminate the density fluctuations,wherein the hardware processor corrects the control value for the image density of the at least one developing roller in consideration of an effect caused at the developing roller on a downstream side in a rotational direction of the image bearing bearer by correcting the control value for the image density of the developing roller on an upstream side.2. The developing device according to claim 1 ,wherein the hardware processorobtains amplitudes of the density fluctuations ...

Systems & Methods for Remanufacturing Imaging Components

A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface.

MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS, SHEET CONVEYANCE APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An apparatus according to the aspect of the embodiments includes a phase determiner configured to determine a rotational phase of a rotor, a speed determiner configured to determine a rotational speed of the rotor, a controller having a first control mode for controlling the motor by supplying constant currents to windings, and a discriminator configured to discriminate whether a rotation of the motor is abnormal based on the rotational speed when the rotational speed corresponding to a command speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value in a state where the controller is controlling the motor in the first control mode. When a signal output from the discriminator indicates that the rotation of the motor is abnormal, the controller stops the motor. When the signal output from the discriminator indicates that the rotation is not abnormal, the controller continues a drive of the motor.

Image forming apparatus

Disclosed is an image forming apparatus which includes: a feeding portion configured to feed a sheet; an image forming portion configured to form an image on the sheet; a conveying portion configured to stop the sheet fed by the feeding portion at a predetermined position and to convey the sheet to the image forming portion in accordance with a timing of forming the image by the image forming portion; a type discriminating portion configured to discriminate whether a type of the sheet to be fed belongs to a first sheet type group including plain paper or to a second sheet type group including coated paper; and a controlling portion configured to control feeding of the sheet, wherein the controlling portion is configured to change a sheet feeding start timing of the feeding portion in accordance with the type discriminated by the type discriminating portion.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

Disclosed is an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible to appropriately conduct a controlling operation for eliminating the velocity fluctuation of the photoreceptor drum without generating any malfunction. The apparatus includes a photoreceptor member driven by a motor and a control section that is provided with a feed forward controlling section that stores parameters derived from driving errors for one revolution of the photoreceptor member to create a reverse-phase instruction value based on the parameters and a feedback controlling section that controls a velocity of the photoreceptor member, so as to keep the velocity of the photoreceptor member constant. During an initial operating time, the control section deactivates the feed forward controlling section, while only activates the feedback controlling section to drive the photoreceptor member so as to measure a driving toque of the driving motor, and selects a parameter from the parameters, corresponding to the driving ...

Apparatus and method of image forming with a speed controlled transfer member

An image forming apparatus (1) includes a rotating member (10), a drive mechanism, a scale (70), and a scale reading mechanism (71). The rotating member (10) is configured to carry an image. The drive mechanism is configured to rotationally drive the rotating member (10). The scale (70) is provided around an entire perimeter of a surface of the rotating member (10). The scale reading mechanism (71) is configured to read the scale (70) and arranged in a region where the rotating member is prevented from wavering. A rotating drive of the rotating member (10) is controlled based on information read by the scale reading mechanism (71).

Image forming apparatus

A image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing body, an exposing unit that irradiates the image bearing body to form a latent image, a developer bearing body that develops the latent image to form a developer image, a transfer unit that transfers the developer image to a recording medium, a feeding unit that feeds the recording medium, a density detecting unit that detects a developer density of the developer image transferred to the recording medium, and a speed difference control unit that controls a difference of a circumferential speed of the image bearing body and a feeding speed of the recording medium fed by the feeding unit. The speed difference is controlled based on a density of a thin line pattern transferred to the recording medium detected by the density detecting unit.

Multiple mode image processing apparatus and method

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce fluctuation in the rotation period of a photoreceptor belt caused by a change in the amount of toner electrostatically attracted to a photoreceptor drum. SOLUTION: An intermediate transfer belt 64 is stretched on a photoreceptor drum 50 and rotated in accordance with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum 50. A motor 108 rotating and driving the photoreceptor drum 50 is variable in speed and controlled in rotational speed by a rotation control section, to change the rotational speed of the photoreceptor drum 50, according to image density. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT ...

SYNCHRONIZING CONTROL SYSTEM FOR DRIVING MOTORS OF COPYING MACHINE EQUIPPED WITH PLURAL DRIVING MOTORS

PURPOSE: To exercise synchronizing control over plural motors for a copying machine through a simple constitution, by generating serial pulses for the synchronizing control, with an array having light emitting elements and photodetecting elements positioned in the range, of which length is shorter than the optical pattern interval of a photosensitive drum. CONSTITUTION: Arrays A and B having light emitting and photodetecting elements of a pulse generator PSG are provided in the range of which length L is shorter than the interval between optical patterns 14a and 14b of a photosensitive drum 1 formed with gaps, and through those arrays A and B, serial pulses which conrrespond to the rotational speed of the photosensitive drum are generated to control optical system driving motors, etc. Therefore, the pulse generator of a simple constitution which is easily equipped during the replacement of the photosensitive drum performs synchronizing control over the plural driving motors of the copying ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce density unevenness that may occur due to the rotation unevenness of the motor 6 that drives an image formation section. SOLUTION: An apparatus includes: an image formation section including a photosensitive drum 22 and so on; and the motor 6 for driving the image formation section. The apparatus acquires an FG signal, which in turn is phase information outputted from the motor 6, as the motor 6 rotates. In addition, the apparatus corrects unevenness of the density that may occur due to the rotation of the motor 6 according to the acquired phase information. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT ...

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Erfassen der Differenzgeschwindigkeit zwischen einem Bildträger und einem Trägermaterial

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren und eine Anordnung zum Erzeugen von Druckbildern auf einem Trägermaterial (12), bei dem in einem Umdruckbereich (84) zwischen einem Bildträger (78, 78') und einem Trägermaterial (12) eine Differenzgeschwindigkeit erzeugt wird. Eine Abweichung der tatsächlichen Differenzgeschwindigkeit von einer Soll-Differenzgeschwindigkeit wird mit Hilfe einer Messanordnung (90) ermittelt.

ELECTROSTATIC COPYING APPARATUS

TITLE OF THE INVENTION ELECTROSTATIC COPYING APPARATUS An electrostatic copying apparatus comprising a housing, a photosensitive member disposed within the housing for free movement through the endless moving path defined within the housing, an original-support mechanism disposed on the top surface of the housing and including a transparent plate on which to place an original document to be copied, a charging corona-discharge de-vice for applying corona discharge to the photosensitive member in a latent electrostatic image-forming zone located along the moving path of the photosensitive member, an optical unit for projecting the image of the original docu-ment placed on the transparent plate onto the photosensitive member in the latent electrostatic image-forming zone, and a paper transfer unit for transferr-ing a copying paper through a predetermined transfer passage extending through a transfer zone located along the moving path of the photosensitive member and downstream of the latent ...

DRUM UNIT, CARTRIDGE, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND COUPLING MEMBER

DRUM UNIT, CARTRIDGE, ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND COUPLING MEMBER

Image forming apparatus

Image forming apparatus

DRUM PRINTER ELECTROSTATIC HAS VARIABLE SPEED

Image forming apparatus and image forming method

An image forming apparatus has a photosensitive member, a charger, a developing device, a transfer device, and a controller. In a printing control, the controller rotates the photosensitive member in a forward direction and applies a first transfer bias. In a reverse rotation control, the controller rotates the photosensitive member in a reverse direction and applies a second transfer bias being zero after finishing the printing control. In a forward rotation control, the controller rotates the photosensitive member in the forward direction and applies a third transfer bias for a period including a time that a part of the photosensitive member reaches the transfer device after finishing the reverse rotation control. The part faces the developing device when the rotating direction of the photosensitive member is switched. The third transfer bias has an opposite polarity to the first transfer bias and an absolute value larger than the second transfer bias.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

When, in a state where a developer borne by a developer bearing member is sandwiched by an opposing portion of an image bearing member and the developer bearing member, C denotes capacitance between the image bearing member and the developer bearing member, ΔV denotes a development contrast, Q/S denotes a charge amount per unit area of the developer borne by the developer bearing member, and Δv denotes a peripheral velocity ratio which is a ratio of a peripheral velocity of the developer bearing member to a peripheral velocity of the image bearing member, a first peripheral velocity ratio is set so that |Q/S×Δv|≦|C×ΔV| is satisfied, and a second peripheral velocity ratio which is larger than the first peripheral velocity ratio is set so that |Q/S×Δv|>|C×ΔV| is satisfied.

Image forming apparatus and a paper feeding apparatus for the same

An image forming apparatus feeds a paper picked up by a pickup roller directly to a photoconductive drum and controls a linear velocity of the pickup roller so that it is slower than that of the photoconductive drum. The different linear velocities of the pickup roller and the photoconductive drum produces different velocities at the transfer nip (the area of contact between the photoconductive drum and a transferring roller) and the point where paper is picked up by the pickup roller. To compensate for the different velocities, the pickup roller can be rotated faster than the photoconductive drum for an angle that corresponds to the velocity difference. Additionally, when a velocity difference occurs between two rollers for feeding the paper, one of the rollers can be further rotated to compensate for the velocity difference.

Electrophotographic image forming apparatus

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member configured to bear an electrostatic latent image, and a developer carrying member configured to develop the electrostatic latent image. The electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developer carrying member are separated from each other during non-image formation and brought into contact with each other after the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developer carrying member start to be rotated. During a time period between a time when the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developer carrying member start to be rotated and a time when the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developer carrying member are brought into contact with each other, a number of revolutions of the developer feed member is larger than a number of revolutions of the developer carrying member.

Electrophotographic image printing apparatus

An image printing apparatus includes a control unit which controls a rotational speed of an image carrier; a detecting unit which detects data of the rotational speed; a storage unit which stores the rotational speeds up to n past rotation cycle of said image carrier; and a determining unit which determines whether a rotational speed difference between a latest rotational speed in a current rotation cycle and a rotational speed in n past rotation cycle before the current rotation cycle at a predetermined interval, which includes the same rotational position in respective rotation cycles and its near position, is more than a predetermined reference value, wherein said control unit controls the rotational speed of said image carrier by using the data of rotational speeds at a predetermined interval including the same rotational position in one or n past rotation cycle before the current rotation cycle, and further said control unit controls a rotational speed in a subsequent rotation cycle ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus including: an image carrier that carries a toner image; a cleaner that contacts a surface of the image carrier and removes a toner, the cleaner being located at a first position during stop of rotation of the image carrier and located at a second position during rotation of the image carrier; a moving mechanism that moves the cleaner between the first position and the second position by moving the cleaner in a direction parallel to a rotation shaft of the image carrier while maintaining a contact state between the cleaner and the image carrier; and a hardware processor, in which the hardware processor starts to move the cleaner from the first position to the second position with the moving mechanism during stop of the rotation of the image carrier, and the hardware processor starts to rotate the image carrier during movement of the cleaner.

Drive gear for imaging components

Copying machine control apparatus

Image forming system

An image forming system includes a first device and a second device that are connected in series. The first device can continuously discharge a paper. The second device is blocked from information on a paper conveyance in the first device. The second device, based on printing setting information and a time at which the first paper passes the predetermined position, sets a printing cycle, and based on a time at which the second paper passes the predetermined position, calculates a delay time from a printing cycle of the second paper. The second device stops a conveyance of the second paper that is conveyed to the paper processor, and in accordance with the delay time, controls resuming of the stopped conveyance of the second paper.

Electrophotographic device

Rotating speed of a photosensitive body is reduced, when rotating the same for preventing deterioration due to ozone. In that an electrophotographic device which comprises the photosensitive body; a charger which uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive body; and a motor control unit which performs drive control for a motor which causes to rotate and stop the photosensitive body, wherein the motor control unit includes a plurality of speed levels of a speed level for rotating the photosensitive body during printing and another speed level for rotating the photosensitive body which is reduced lower than the speed during the printing, and is provided with a speed change-over means which changes over the plurality of speed levels depending on the operating condition thereof. Thereby, a deterioration of the photosensitive body due to ozone generated from the changer is prevented and another deterioration of the photosensitive body due to rotation thereof when rotating the same other ...

Image forming apparatus and control method thereof

To restrict a period velocity change of a photoconductor that is an immediate cause of a color registration error, a gap change of a color registration error detection pattern caused by a linear velocity change of the photoconductor is acquired and a linear velocity change of the photoconductor is reduced based on a relationship between the gap change and a velocity of a motor, whereby a reduced color registration error is accomplished.

DRIVING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, DRIVING METHOD AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD

An driving apparatus includes a plurality of image bearing bodies each of which is rotatable and capable of bearing a latent image and a developer image, a rotatable belt provided so as to face the image bearing bodies, a plurality of image-bearing-body-driving units for rotating the image bearing bodies, a belt driving unit for rotating the belt, and a control unit. The control unit causes the image-bearing-body-driving units and the belt driving unit to start rotating the image bearing bodies and the belt so that the image bearing bodies and the belt rotate at a first speed. When the control unit detects that the image bearing bodies and the belt rotate at the first speed, the control unit causes the image-bearing-body-driving units and the belt driving unit to accelerate rotation speeds of the image bearing bodies and the belt to a second speed faster than the first speed.

Systems and Methods for Remanufacturing Imaging Components

A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and lobes extending longitudinally outward from the end surface. 1. A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component , the drive gear comprising:a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component having a rotational axis;an end surface mechanically coupled to the body; anda lobed element for engaging a recess, said lobe element having a rotational axis and extending outward, said lobed element narrowing inward towards the rotational axis as the lobed element extends outward.2. The drive gear of wherein the lobed element comprises three lobes. This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/358,715 filed Nov. 22, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/532,395 filed Nov. 4, 2014, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,501,024, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/444,511 filed on Apr. 11, 2012, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,879,959, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/283,684 filed on Oct. 28, 2011, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,538,295, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/902,625 filed on Oct. 12, 2010, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,073,364, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/825,262 filed on Jul. 5, 2007, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,813,676, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.The present invention generally relates to manufacturing, remanufacturing or repairing replaceable imaging components, and more particularly to apparatus and techniques for providing a drive gear for a drum or roller, such as an organic photo conductor (OPC) drum, for example, of a replaceable imaging cartridge adapted for holding marking material, such as toner.In the imaging industry, ...

Apparatus for producing images

An apparatus for producing images of the invention improves the driving accuracy of an intermediate transfer belt and a photoreceptor drum and synchronizes variations in revolving speed of the intermediate transfer belt and the photoreceptor drum, thereby effectively holding down generation of jitter. In the apparatus for producing images, the intermediate transfer belt of the intermediate transfer unit and the photoreceptor drum are driven by a drive motor via single system reduction gear mechanism, and a belt drive gear for driving the intermediate transfer belt and a drum drive gear for driving the photoreceptor drum are meshed with each other. A drum drive shaft for driving the photoreceptor drum preferably includes the drum drive gear and a flywheel. The photoreceptor drum is set to the downstream side of a multi-speed reduction gear train which constitutes the single system reduction gear mechanism with respect to the intermediate transfer belt.

Image forming apparatus, paper conveyance method, and non-transitory computer readable medium using both speed and position control

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: a registration roller; a motor configured to drive the roller; and a controller configured to control the motor. The roller is disposed at a first position on a conveyance path of paper on which an image is to be formed, and sends out the paper toward a second position on the conveyance path. The second position is downstream from the first position on the conveyance path and is an image transfer position on the paper. The controller controls the motor by using both speed control and position control when the leading end of the paper is at a position from the first position to the second position, and controls the motor by using only the speed control when the leading end of the paper reaches the second position.

Image forming apparatus that stops voltage application to a charger based on a current flowing through an image carrier motor after execution of stop control

An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a charger, a developing member, a motor, a drive controller, and an application controller. The image carrier is rotatably provided. The charger charges the image carrier to a predetermined first polarity by receiving application of a voltage of the first polarity. The developing member develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier using the toner charged to the first polarity. The motor rotates the image carrier. The drive controller executes stop control for stopping driving of the motor. The application controller stops voltage application to the charger based on a current flowing through the motor after execution of the stop control.

Electrophotographic apparatus with multiple speed mode

Encoding device for a moving web

A device for encoding the position of a moving web, particularly a continuous photoreceptor belt (22) in an electrophotographic printing apparatus, incorporates an encoding wheel (72) for engaging an edge portion of the web, in combination with a long support member (80,84) for supporting the remaining span of the web. Because the wheel (72) is of a small width, the composite runout may be kept within acceptable limits for a lower cost compared to the long rollers of the prior art. The support member may include another roller (80) for supporting the remaining span of the web or it may include a skid plate (84). The wheel (72) can be manufactured within the required eccentricity and composite runout tolerances at a lower cost compared to prior art devices. The wheel (72) can also be made with a larger diameter while the support roller can be of a compact construction to facilitate placement within the limited space in the printing device.

Copying machine control apparatus

A copying machine control apparatus which includes a first control means (53) for actuating a first driving means (51a) which operates a photoconductive drum (10), a second control means (55) for actuating a second driving means (39) which operates a scanning means (3), and a third control means (54) for actuating a third driving means (52a) which operates a transfer drum (15). Each of first, second, and third control means has a position controller and a speed controller, respectively, operated by a common reference pulse train, in which the position controller generates a position control signal to indicate the turning position difference at any moment, and the speed controller generates a speed control signal which is composed of a frequency difference between the common reference pulse train and the pulse train outputted from respective pulse encoders, then this speed control signal is added to the position control signal to generate a driving signal which actuates each of first, second ...

IMAGE FORMING DEVICE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a deviation in an exposure starting position in an image forming device having a photoreceptor drum scanned for exposure while being rotationally driven with a stepping motor driven with a half step. SOLUTION: First, the stepping motor is driven with a full step, so that a rotor is placed at a stable position (a position where the salience of the rotor faces that of a stator), even if any driving pulse (an arrow F) is obtained. Before exposure scanning is started, the stepping motor is switched to half step driving. After switching, the rotor is placed in the stable position, when an even numbered pulse (an arrow Hb) is obtained, so that instructions to start the exposure scanning with this timing is issued. Thus, the positioning accuracy of the photoreceptor drum at the time of starring the exposure scanning is enhanced. COPYRIGHT: (C)1999,JPO ...

画像形成装置及び画像形成装置に用いる像担持体移動装置

УСТРОЙСТВО ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЯ

... 1. Устройство формирования изображения, содержащее ! первый и второй носители изображения, которые осуществляют формирование изображения на листе для печати, ! первый и второй электродвигатели, которые приводят во вращение первый и второй носители изображения, соответственно, ! первый и второй блоки детектирования, которые детектируют угловую скорость или окружную скорость каждого из первого и второго носителей изображения, соответственно, ! первый и второй блоки обратной связи, которые осуществляют управление с обратной связью по угловым скоростям первого и второго электродвигателей, соответственно, согласно результату детектирования первого и второго блоков детектирования, и ! блок управления, который задает коэффициент обратной связи для управления по обратной связи, осуществляемого первым блоком обратной связи, ! при этом блок управления задает первый коэффициент обратной связи для подавления изменения угловой скорости первой частоты, которое вызывает несовмещение изображений, накладываемых ...

Steuerung für ein Kopiergerät.

Antriebsgeschwindigkeitsregelung für Bildformungsapparat

SYSTEME UND VERFAHREN ZUR NEUFERTIGUNG VON ABBILDUNGSKOMPONENTEN

Elektrophotographisches Gerät mit mehreren Betriebsgeschwindigkeiten.

Bilderzeugungsgerät

COPYING MACHINE FOR BOTH BLACK-AND WHITE AND COLOR

Driving force reception assembly and processing box using assembly

A driving force reception assembly for a photosensitive drum, used for receiving the rotating force of a driving head of an image forming device, and transferring the rotating force to a driven rotating component (10), so as to drive the driven rotating component (10) to rotate. The driving force reception assembly for a photosensitive drum comprises: a power reception portion (1) engaging with an engagement portion of the driving head of the image forming device; a power transfer portion (2) connected to the power reception portion (1) and a driving cooperation portion (3); and the driving cooperation portion (3), cooperating with the driven rotating component (10). The driving force reception assembly engages with the driving head in a manner in which a perpendicular intersection line (a1) passing through a center point of the engagement portion (100a) and a rotating center line of the driving head forms a fixed angle (C) with a perpendicular intersection line (M) passing through a force ...

MULTIPLE MODE IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD

A multiple mode image processing apparatus and method. The apparatus, in a copy mode, processes copies xerographically. In a write mode, images derived from image signals are written on the apparatus photoreceptor by a raster scanner, and in a read mode, the raster scanner scans images developed on the photoreceptor to produce image signals representative thereof. A multiple speed drive is provided for the photoreceptor to move the photoreceptor at a high speed when processing copies xerographically and at a lower speed compatible with the data transmission rate for image signals when writing or reading images.

Image forming apparatus

Timing detection device, and driving device and image forming apparatus with the same

A timing detection device provided by the invention includes a moving object, an opening, a sensor unit, and a timing detection unit. The moving object includes a first face and a second face. The first face and the second face move in a moving direction that is parallel to faces. The openings are formed by penetrating the moving object from the first face to the second face. The sensor unit emits detection light from the first face side toward the moving object, and receives the detection light that passes through the openings. The moving object includes an inner wall part and an edge part. The inner wall part demarcates a lateral edge of the openings on a downstream side in the moving direction. The edge part protrudes toward the upstream side in the moving direction at an end fringe part on the second face side of the inner wall part..

Electrophotographic apparatus with amorphous silicon-carbon photosensitive member driven relative to light source

An electrophotographic apparatus includes an amorphous silicon electrophotographic photosensitive member thereon having a conductive base, a photoconductive layer thereon containing carbon atoms, a content of which is minimum adjacent a position closest to the surface layer and/or other atoms, and a surface layer thereon containing 40-90 atomic % of carbon atoms and/or other atoms; a light source for electric discharge driven through a pulse width modulation using a reference wave having a frequency of not higher than 10 kHz; a device for projecting information light onto the photosensitive member; and a driver for driving the photosensitive member relative to the light source at such a speed that a peripheral speed of the photosensitive member divided by the frequency of the reference wave is not more than 1 mm.

Color image forming apparatus

According to an embodiment of the present invention, color drift is prevented from occurring in a color image by detecting a position of a rotation informing mechanism integrally held by one of first, second, and third gears to detect a phase change in full rotation of at least one gear, detecting a position of a rotation informing mechanism integrally held by a fourth gear to detect a phase in full rotation, and setting, on the basis of the detected one phase change and the detected other phase change, phases during start of rotation of the respective gears such that a phase of a fourth image held by an image holding member rotated by the fourth gear coincides with phases of first to third images held by respective image holding members rotated by the first, second, and third gears.

Image forming apparatus and program executed by computer of image forming apparatus

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that carries and conveys a toner image; a charging member arranged in contact with or close to the image carrier; a charging power supply that charges the image carrier; an exposurer that forms a latent image on the charged image carrier; a developing member arranged close to the image carrier; a developing power supply that develops the latent image and forms a toner image on the image carrier; a transfer member that transfers the toner image to a medium; and a hardware processor that controls the image forming apparatus, wherein the hardware processor obtains a potential of an exposure part and a non-exposure part, on the image carrier after the toner image has been transferred to the medium, determines a charging bias based on a difference between the obtained potentials, and determines a developing bias based on the determined charging bias.

Image forming apparatus with reduced long period gap variation

An image forming apparatus includes a drive device including a first drive transmission passage through which a driving force of a drive source is transmitted to a developer bearer via a first joint and a second drive transmission passage through which the driving force is transmitted to a rotary body via a second joint. The first drive transmission passage and the second drive transmission passage are defined such that one of a first drive transmission ratio to the first joint of the first drive transmission passage and a second drive transmission ratio to the second joint of the second drive transmission passage is an integral multiple of the other of the first drive transmission ratio from the drive source to the first joint of the first drive transmission passage and the second drive transmission ratio from the drive source to the second joint of the second drive transmission passage.

Image forming apparatus having controlled driving force

A toner supply unit for use in an image forming apparatus includes a bottle gear provided on a toner bottle to receive a driving force when the toner bottle is mounted to a mounting portion, and a discharging mechanism provided on the toner bottle to discharge a predetermined amount of toner from a discharging portion with the rotation of the bottle gear. A controller controls the driving force inputted to the bottle gear in a period from input of the driving force to the bottle gear to a predetermined number of rotations of the toner bottle to be smaller than the driving force inputted to the bottle gear at a time when the discharging mechanism first discharges the predetermined amount of toner from the discharging portion after the predetermined number of rotations.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a drive mechanism, a rotating member, an urging member, and a retracting system. The retracting system includes first and second retracting mechanisms. The first retracting mechanism includes a first gap-maintaining member that maintains a gap between the image carrier and the rotating member, and cancels the retracted state at one end in an axial direction by moving the first gap-maintaining member and cancelling a gap-maintaining state established by the first gap-maintaining member. The second retracting mechanism includes a second gap-maintaining member that maintains a gap between the image carrier and the rotating member, and cancels the retracted state at the other end by enabling the rotating member to be rotated by the image carrier, moving the second gap-maintaining member, and cancelling a gap-maintaining state established by the second gap-maintaining member.

Image Formation Apparatus, Driving Control Method, And Computer Program Product

An image formation apparatus includes an image carrier; a driving source generating a driving force for the image carrier; a drive transmission unit; a driving control unit controlling the driving source; an image formation unit forming an image on a surface of the image carrier; a transfer nip between a transfer member and the surface of the image carrier; a driving-force exerting unit exerting a driving force on any one of the image carrier and a first drive transmission member on a drive transmission path, and a specific drive transmission member imparting weakest spring characteristics among drive transmission members to a drive transmission system; a detecting unit detecting an estimation parameter used in estimating a driving-load-torque variation amount of the image carrier; a torque-variation-amount estimation unit; and a driving-force control unit controlling the driving force to cancel the driving-load-torque variation.

Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes an all contact full color mode and an all contact monochrome mode. During an image forming job in which image forming is successively performed on a plurality of recording materials, in case that an image is formed using only the first image forming unit with the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit being in contact with the intermediate transfer member after an image has been formed using both of the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit, the controller determines whether the all contact full color mode or the all contact monochrome mode is performed based on an image forming speed to be performed or other criteria.

Image forming apparatus with controllable velocity ratio between image and developer bearing members

A control portion has a conversion portion that converts image data to be used for forming a recorded image by using either a first conversion condition which has been set such as to obtain a first gradation characteristic in the image to be formed on the recording material when a first image forming operation is executed or a second conversion condition which has been set such as to obtain a second gradation characteristic, which is different from the first gradation characteristic, in the image when a second image forming operation is executed, a peripheral velocity ratio between an image bearing member and a developer bearing member being larger during the second image forming operation than during the first image forming operation, and enables the first image forming operation or the second image forming operation to be performed on the basis of converted image data.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an intermediary transfer member having ion conductivity and a rotatable endless belt shape, a primary transfer member, a secondary transfer member, a cleaning member, an environment sensor and a controller. Based on a result of the environment sensor, the controller controls so as to change a current balance based on an integrated value of a first current value and an integrated value of a second current value. The first current value is a current flowing from inside of the intermediary transfer member to outside thereof and the second current value is a current flowing from outside of the intermediary transfer member to inside thereof.

DEVICE FOR MONITORING THE TRANSPORTATION OF A SUPPORT

IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a deterioration of a developing agent. SOLUTION: An image supporter, a developing agent supporter which causes the developing agent to adhere to the image supporter so as to form a developing agent image, a transfer unit which transfers the developing agent image to a recording medium, a drive unit which actuates at least one of the image supporter, the developing agent supporter, and the transfer unit, an outside temperature obtaining unit which obtains an environmental temperature outside the apparatus, and a control unit which sets a drive speed of the drive unit in accordance with the environmental temperature are provided. In this case, the environmental temperature outside the apparatus is obtained, and the drive speed of the drive unit is set in accordance with the environmental temperature; therefore, generated friction heat can be reduced. Therefore, since the temperature of the developing agent increases to not more than a predetermined temperature ...

ELECTROPHORETIC PRINTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING PRINTING DEVICE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophoretic printing device that achieves variable printing speed at a constant printing quality. SOLUTION: The electrophoretic printing device includes an image forming system. The image forming system generates an electrical charge image on an image-supporting element. The electronic charge image is made visible by a developer station via charged colorant particles, the image being subsequently transferred onto a final image carrier and fixed thereon. A means is provided which continuously varies speed of the image-supporting element F from zero up to a limit speed. A speed changing means adapts charge intensity of the image-supporting element F to its speed, adapts exposure intensity for exposure according to the image and in a deletion exposure of the image-supporting element F to its speed, and keeps a supply of toner to the image-supporting element F constant per area. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus with a detector for detecting the position of an image carrier, which can reduce color slurring by restraining the speed variation of the image carrier caused by the detector. SOLUTION: The multicolor image forming apparatus A is provided with: a driving means 31 driving and rotating the image carrier 1 through a driving transmission member 33 connected to the image carrier 1; the detectors 41 and 46 arranged on the driving transmission member 33; and a position detection means 34 detecting the rotating position of the image carrier by detecting the detectors 41 and 46 on a plurality of image carriers 1Y to 1K respectively, and also provided with a control means 40 controlling the driving means so as to adjust a phase difference between the plurality of image carriers 1Y to 1K based on a plurality of results of detection detected by the position detection means 34 and 34. It is provided with members 47, 55A and 56B corresponding ...

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTER

PURPOSE: To obtain a printer having high printing throughput without shortening the life of a photosensitive drum, by stopping the rotation of the photosensitive drum when there is no next page printing and continuing said rotation when there is the next page printing. CONSTITUTION: A printing control part 23 applies a certain value to a variable timer 24 when the printing of the first page is finished and waits until the printing start order of the next page is emitted from a main control part 12 while the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated during this time. When the printing start order is emitted within the time, printing is rapidly performed but, when there is no order within the time, the main control part 12 refers to flags 17, 18 to judge whether the video data of the next page is present with respect to respective data buffers 15, 15 and transmits the judge result to the printing control part 23. The printing control part 23 stops the photosensitive drum 1 when there is no data and ...

Vorrichtung zum Antrieb eines Bandes bei einer elektrografischen Druck- oder Kopiereinrichtung

Der Antrieb von Fotoleiterbändern oder Transferbändern bei einer elektrografischen Druckeinrichtung durch eine Antriebswalze (10) soll derart sein, dass ein möglichst geringer Schlupf zwischen Antriebswalze (10) und Band (11) auftritt. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen, weist die Antriebswalze (10) einen elektrisch leitenden Kern (12) auf, an den eine elektrische Spannung angelegt wird und der von einer Isolierschicht (13) umgeben ist. Wenn an dem Band (11) z. B. Null-Potential anliegt, entsteht zwischen Band (11) und Antriebswalze (10) ein elektrisches Feld, das das Band (11) an die Antriebswalze (10) zieht. Dadurch kann die Andruckkraft, mit der das Band (11) an der Andruckwalze (10) anliegt, elektrostatisch eingestellt werden.

Drum unit, cartridge, electrophotographic image forming device, and coupling member

This drum unit is configured to be attachable/detachable with respect to the body of an electrophotographic image forming device, and has a photoreceptor drum and a coupling member provide to the photoreceptor drum. The coupling member has a drive force receiving part and a support part which movably supports the drive force receiving part. The support part has a first extension part and a second extension part that extend at least in the axial direction of the photoreceptor drum. The first and second extension parts are arranged so as to extend in mutually different directions in the axial direction.

"COPYING MACHINE FOR BOTH BLACK AND WHITE AND COLOUR".

In a copying machine for both black-and-white and color, a latent image of an original is formed in a photosensitive device by scanning the original by a scanning optical system and is developed by a black or color toner and is thereafter transferred onto a transfer paper held on transfer device rotated in proximity to the photosensitive device to provide a copy of the original. The copying machine includes a first drive unit for driving the scanning optical system; a second drive unit for driving the photosensitive device; a third drive unit for driving the transfer device; and a drive condition setting device for judging a designated copy mode and for giving the speeds of the respective drive units which are suitable for the designated copy mode.

Systems & Methods for Remanufacturing Imaging Components

A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface.

Image bearing member drive unit that drives image bearing member, method of controlling image bearing member drive unit, storage medium, and image forming apparatus

An image bearing member drive unit which is capable of performing excellent follow-up of random disturbances without increasing the costs and further with reduced energy loss. The image bearing member drive unit is formed by a brushless DC motor, a rotational position detector, a rotary encoder, a drive circuit, a motor driver IC, and a controller. The rotary encoder detects a drive speed of the image bearing member driven by the brushless DC motor. Drive current for the brushless DC motor is controlled according to the detected drive speed and a target speed. When a short brake signal for braking the brushless DC motor is on, current in a direction opposite to the drive current is generated to thereby brake the brushless DC motor.

Power control apparatus and image forming apparatus including the same

A power control apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the same are disclosed. The power control apparatus can directly enable or disable a DC/DC converter for converting reference DC power to a secondary DC power without an additional microcomputer based power circuit by connecting an enable or disable operation of the DC/DC converter with an operation of a power button by a user. Accordingly, the number of components of a power control circuit can be reduced to decrease material cost and simplify the power control circuit. Furthermore, the power control apparatus and the image forming apparatus including the same can reduce unnecessary power consumption in a system off state.

Systems & Methods for Remanufacturing Imaging Components

A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface. 1. A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component , the drive gear comprising:a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component;a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; andan element that extends outward from the end surface, wherein the element has six sides.2. The drive gear of wherein element is shaped to engage a helical recess.3. The drive gear of wherein the helical recess is in a drive mechanism of an imaging device.4. The drive gear of wherein at least one side of the element is curved.5. The drive gear of wherein the element has vertices where each of the six sides connects and the element is adapted to engage a helical recess with only three of the vertices contacting the helical recess.6. An imaging apparatus assembly comprising:a drive mechanism including a helical recess; anda drive gear including a body for engaging a generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and at least one element that extends outward from the end surface, wherein the at least one element has six sides.7. The imaging apparatus assembly of wherein the at least one element is shaped to engage the helical recess.8. The imaging apparatus of wherein at least one side of the element is curved.9. The imaging apparatus of wherein the element has vertices where one of the six sides contacts another of the six sides and the element is adapted to engage a helical recess with only three of the vertices contacting the helical recess.10. An imaging apparatus assembly comprising:a generally cylindrical imaging component; anda drive gear ...

Image forming apparatus

Image forming apparatus is disclosed. The developing portion is replenished with toner from a toner containing body by operating a toner feeding mechanism. The receiving portion receives a designation of switching to a low speed i.e. switching the rotation speed of the motor from the first speed to the second speed lower than the first speed. The measuring portion measures a value of a counter electromotive voltage generated in the motor by causing the motor to operate the toner feeding mechanism. The motor control portion causes the motor to rotate at the first speed until an absolute value of the value measured by the measuring portion is not larger than a predetermined first value, and causes the motor to rotate at the second speed after an absolute value of the measured value is smaller than the first value, in the case where the switching to a low speed is designated.

Image Forming Apparatus And Power-Transmission Assembly of The Same

An image forming apparatus having an improved power-transmission assembly to drive a developing cartridge mounted in a main body of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a main body, at least one driving coupling unit rotatably located in a side region of the main body, at least one driven coupling unit connected to a rotator inside a developing cartridge, and a coupling holder in which the driving and driven coupling units are connected to each other to enable a power-transmission from the driving coupling unit to the driven coupling unit. The driving coupling unit includes a first spherical portion to come into contact with one side of an inner surface of the coupling holder when received in the coupling holder. The driven coupling unit includes a second spherical portion to come into contact with the other side of the inner surface of the coupling holder when received in the coupling holder. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a main body;at least one driving coupling unit located in a side region of the main body, the driving coupling unit being rotated by a drive power generated from a drive source;at least one driven coupling unit connected to a rotator inside a developing cartridge mounted in the main body; anda coupling holder in which the driving coupling unit and the driven coupling unit are received and connected to each other to enable transmission of a rotation power from the driving coupling unit to the driven coupling unit,wherein the driving coupling unit includes a first spherical portion configured to come into contact with one side of an inner surface of the coupling holder when received in the coupling holder, andwherein the driven coupling unit includes a second spherical portion configured to come into contact with the other side of the inner surface of the coupling holder when received in the coupling holder.2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first spherical portion and the second spherical portion have the same outer ...

Image forming apparatus and image forming method

An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; a developer carrier configured to adhere toner onto the image carrier; an image density detector to detect a density of an image on the image carrier formed by the developer carrier adhering the toner on the image carrier; a rotary member to form an image pattern of which density is detected by the image density detector; and a rotational position detector to detect a rotational position of the rotary member. In the image forming apparatus, the image pattern is generated based on the rotational position detected by the rotational position detector and the rotary member that the rotational position detector detects the rotational position thereof is either the image carrier or the developer carrier.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus has an image forming section configured to form an image on a recording sheet, a controller to execute a job, and an adjustment section configured to adjust a density of the image formed on the recording sheet by the image forming section during execution of the job. The controller discharges an inserting sheet onto the recording sheet having the image formed during the execution of the job when a value of the adjustment is larger than a predetermined value. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:an image forming section configured to form an image on a recording sheet;a controller to execute a job; andan adjustment section configured to adjust a density of the image formed on the recording sheet by the image forming section during execution of the job,wherein the controller discharges an inserting sheet onto the recording sheet having the image formed during the execution of the job when a value of the adjustment is larger than a predetermined value.2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a setting section configured to set at least one of a value of the adjustment claim 1 , a type of the inserting sheet claim 1 , and a tray for storing the recording sheet.3. The image forming apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the setting section is enabled to set the value of the adjustment claim 2 , the type of the inserting sheet claim 2 , or the tray for storing the recording sheet for each of the job.4. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller discharges the inserting sheet a type of which is different from the type of the recording sheet.5. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller discharges the inserting sheet to a position where is different from a discharge position of the recording sheet.6. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein when the controller discharges a plurality of the inserting sheets for one job claim 1 , the image forming section forms a serial number on ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD

An apparatus includes an image formation unit including a photosensitive drum and a motor for driving the image formation unit. The apparatus acquires a frequency generator signal, which is phase information output from the motor as the motor rotates. In addition, the apparatus corrects unevenness of the density that may occur due to the rotation of the motor according to the acquired phase information. 1. An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit configured to execute image forming and a motor configured to drive a rotation member included in the image forming unit for image forming , the image forming apparatus comprising:a generation unit configured to generate information on variation of rotation speed of the motor according to a rotation state of the motor based on a signal that is output at least once during one rotation of the motor; anda control unit configured to cause the image forming unit to execute image forming including correction of a density based on the information on the variation of the rotation speed of the motor according to the rotation state of the motor.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the generation unit is configured to identify a phase change of the variation of the rotation speed based on a plurality of signals of the motor to be output in response to one rotation of the motor.3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to cause the image forming unit to execute exposure according to information on an image with the corrected density.4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein any phase is allocated to an arbitrary state or a predetermined state of the speed of the motor claim 1 , and the phase of the variation of the rotation speed is identified based on a parameter for operating a printer from the state of the speed to which the phase is allocated.5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the rotation ...

Image Forming Apparatus

An image forming apparatus including: first to third rotators, rotated in accordance with an image forming operation of an image forming section; a first motor driving the first and third rotators; a second motor driving the second rotator; a first switch switching between a connected state in which a driving force from the first motor is transmitted to the third rotator, and a disconnected state in which the driving force from the first motor is not transmitted to the third rotator; and a control device performing a first rotating process of rotating the first rotator by rotating the first motor in the disconnected state, performing a second rotating process of rotating the second rotator by rotating the second motor, and performing a start timing process of providing a difference between start timings of the first and second rotating processes.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes first and second image bearing members configured to bear electrostatic latent images, a rotatable belt configured to receive toner images from the first and second image bearing members, and an executing portion configured to execute an operation in a correction mode for determining timing at which formation of the electrostatic latent image starts on at least one of the first and second image bearing members with respect to a widthwise direction of the belt between test toner images transferred onto the belt from the first and second image bearing members. In addition, first and second detecting members detect positions of the belt with respect to the widthwise direction, and a calculating portion calculates a movement distance of a predetermined point on the belt with respect to the widthwise direction. An adjusting portion adjusts the timing determined by the executing portion on the basis of a result of the calculation in the correction mode and a result of the calculation of the calculating portion when the image is to be formed in accordance with an image formation signal. 14.-. (canceled)5. An image forming apparatus comprising:first and second image bearing members configured to bear electrostatic latent images, respectively, which are to be developed into toner images;a rotatable belt configured to receive the toner images from said first and second image bearing members;an executing portion configured to execute an operation in a correction mode for determining timing at which formation of the electrostatic latent image starts on at least one of said first and second image bearing members with respect to a widthwise direction of said belt, which is crossing with a rotational direction of said belt, on the basis of a positional relation, with respect to the widthwise direction, between test toner images transferred onto said belt from said first and second image bearing members;first and second detecting members, ...

Control of photoreceptor belt detensioning cycles using extended slower belt rotation

A processor places a printer apparatus in a reduced activity mode after printing requests have not been received for an “inactivity” time period. A belt support device rotates a photoreceptor belt at a reduced speed when the printer apparatus enters the reduced activity mode and for a “delay” time period after the printer apparatus enters the reduced activity mode. The belt support device returns the rotational speed of the photoreceptor belt to the original speed if a new printing request is received during the delay time period. However, the belt support device stops rotation of the photoreceptor belt and reduces the belt tension if the delay time period expires without receiving a new printing request.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes a drive device including a first drive transmission passage through which a driving force of a drive source is transmitted to a developer bearer via a first joint and a second drive transmission passage through which the driving force is transmitted to a rotary body via a second joint. The first drive transmission passage and the second drive transmission passage are defined such that one of a first drive transmission ratio to the first joint of the first drive transmission passage and a second drive transmission ratio to the second joint of the second drive transmission passage is an integral multiple of the other of the first drive transmission ratio from the drive source to the first joint of the first drive transmission passage and the second drive transmission ratio from the drive source to the second joint of the second drive transmission passage. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a drive source configured to generate a driving force;a first rotary body supported by a support member and configured to receive the driving force applied by the drive source and transmitted via a first joint having a first detachable engaging member and a first detachable engaged member; anda second rotary body supported by the support member sharing with the first rotary body and configured to receive the driving force applied by the drive source and transmitted via a second joint having a second detachable engaging member and a second detachable engaged member,wherein a ratio of a number of rotations of the first joint and a number of rotations of the second joint is an integer equal to or greater than two.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the first rotary body includes a developer bearer.3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the second rotary body includes a developer agitator configured to agitate the developer.4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the second ...

DRIVING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A driving device for driving a driving member includes a driving source; a driving gear fixed to a rotation shaft of the driving source; at least one gear for transmitting rotational motion of the driving gear to the driven member; a rotation detection gear engaged with the at least one gear; a detector for detecting rotation of the rotation detection gear; and a controller for detecting an angular speed and a rotational phase of the rotation detection gear on the basis of information from the detector and for controlling the rotational speed of the driving source such that a rotation period of the rotation detection gear is a non-integer multiple of a rotation period of the driving gear. 1. A driving device for driving a driving member , said driving device comprising:a driving source;a driving gear fixed to a rotation shaft of said driving source;at least one gear configured to transmit rotational motion of said driving gear to the driven member;a rotation detection gear engaged with said at least one gear;a detector configured to detect rotation of said rotation detection gear; anda controller configured to detect an angular speed and a rotational phase of said rotation detection gear on the basis of information from said detector and to control the rotational speed of said driving source such that a rotation period of said rotation detection gear is a non-integer multiple of a rotation period of said driving gear.2. A driving device according to claim 1 , further comprising a flag rotatable together with said rotation detection gear claim 1 , wherein said detector detects the rotation of said rotation detection gear by detecting said flag.3. A driving device according to claim 2 , wherein said flag is a code wheel including a plurality of slits arranged in a rotational direction claim 2 , wherein an interval between adjacent slits at least one portion is different from the other intervals between adjacent slits claim 2 , and said detector detects the rotation of ...

Image Forming Apparatus Including Coupling Member Selectively Coupled to Photosensitive Drum

An image forming apparatus includes a main body, endless belt, photosensitive drums, setting unit, contacting/separating mechanism, transmitting mechanism, and coupling members. The photosensitive drums are disposed in confrontation with the endless belt and are arranged in a first direction. Each photosensitive drum has an axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The setting unit sets the image forming apparatus to a monochrome mode or color mode. The contacting/separating mechanism controls at least one photosensitive drum to contact or separate from the endless in accordance with the set mode. The transmitting mechanism selectively transmits drive power to photosensitive drums. Each coupling member is selectively coupled to the corresponding photosensitive drum and has a coupling axis extending in the second direction. Each coupling member is uncoupled from the corresponding photosensitive drum when the contacting/separating mechanism controls the corresponding photosensitive drum to separate from the endless belt.

PRINTING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM

A method of controlling a printing apparatus, comprises printing an image on a sheet; measuring a printing speed of the printing; and storing, for each printing speed measured in the measuring, a number of sheets printed in the printing. 1. A printing apparatus , comprising:a print unit configured to print an image on a sheet;a measurement unit configured to measure a printing speed of the print unit;a storage unit configured to store, for each printing speed measured by the measurement unit, a number of sheets printed by the print unit.2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 ,further comprising a counting unit configured to count, for each printing speed measured by the measurement unit, a number of sheets printed by the print unit, whereinthe storage unit stores, for each printing speed measured by the measurement unit, the number of sheets counted by the counting unit.3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the storage unit stores claim 1 , for each printing speed measured by the measurement unit claim 1 , and for each type of sheet to which an image is printed by the print unit claim 1 , the number of sheets printed by the print unit.4. The printing apparatus according to claim 2 ,further comprising a setting unit configured to set a printing speed, whereinthe print unit, in accordance with the printing speed set by the setting unit, prints the image to the sheet.5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a holding unit configured to hold claim 1 , for each component relating to printing included in the printing apparatus claim 1 , a number of sheets printed using the component.6. The printing apparatus according to further comprising a calculation unit configured to calculate claim 5 , based on the number of sheets stored by the storage unit claim 5 , a consumption level of the component and the number of sheets held by the holding unit.7. A method of controlling a printing apparatus claim 5 , comprising:printing ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, an intermediary transfer member, an image forming portion, a cleaning blade, a motor, and an executing portion capable of executing an operation in an operating mode after an end of the image formation. In the operation in the operating mode, the executing portion is capable of executing a toner supplying operation, a stopping operation of the intermediary transfer member moving in the normal direction, and a reversely moving operation in which the intermediary transfer member is moved in an opposite direction to a normal direction and then is stopped. When the supplying operation is not executed, after an end of the image formation, the stopping operation is executed and then the reversely moving operation is executed. When the supplying operation is executed, after the supplying operation is carried out, the stopping operation is executed but the reversely moving operation is not executed. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a photosensitive member;an intermediary transfer member movable and having an endless shape;an image forming portion configured to carry out image formation in which a toner image is formed on a surface of said photosensitive member and thereafter is primary-transferred onto a surface of said intermediary transfer member and then is secondary-transferred onto a recording material;a cleaning blade contacting the surface of said intermediary transfer member at a contact portion and configured to remove a deposited matter deposited on the surface of said intermediary transfer member with movement of said intermediary transfer member;a motor configured to move said intermediary transfer member by being rotationally driven, wherein said motor is capable of moving said intermediary transfer member in a normal direction in which said intermediary transfer member moves in an image forming period and in an opposite direction to the normal direction; andan executing portion capable of ...

Image Forming Apparatus Including Coupling Member Selectively Coupled to Photosensitive Drum

An image forming apparatus includes a main body, endless belt, photosensitive drums, setting unit, contacting/separating mechanism, transmitting mechanism, and coupling members. The photosensitive drums are disposed in confrontation with the endless belt and are arranged in a first direction. Each photosensitive drum has an axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The setting unit sets the image forming apparatus to a monochrome mode or color mode. The contacting/separating mechanism controls at least one photosensitive drum to contact or separate from the endless in accordance with the set mode. The transmitting mechanism selectively transmits drive power to photosensitive drums. Each coupling member is selectively coupled to the corresponding photosensitive drum and has a coupling axis extending in the second direction. Each coupling member is uncoupled from the corresponding photosensitive drum when the contacting/separating mechanism controls the corresponding photosensitive drum to separate from the endless belt. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a main casing; a first photosensitive drum supported by and movable with the process frame in a case where the process frame moves relative to the main casing between the first position and the second position, and the first photosensitive drum being detachable from the process frame; and', 'a second photosensitive drum supported by and movable with the process frame in a case where the process frame moves relative to the main casing between the first position and the second position, and the second photosensitive drum being non-detachably supported by the process frame at all positions of the process frame relative to the main casing;, 'a process frame configured to move relative to the main casing between a first position and a second position, the process frame being in the main casing in a case where the process frame is in the first position, and the process frame being out ...

METHOD OF CONTROLLING TARGET SPEED OF ROTATING MEMBER USED IN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

When a mechanism enters a first state, an intermediate transfer member separates from a second photosensitive member. When the mechanism enters a second state, the intermediate transfer member contacts the second photosensitive member. When a first monochrome image is formed on a sheet of a first type by using toner of a first color, the mechanism enters the first state. When a second monochrome image is formed on a sheet of a second type by using toner of the first color, the mechanism enters the second state. A rotation speed of the second photosensitive member for forming the second monochrome image on the sheet of the second type is controlled to a predetermined rotation speed. The predetermined rotation speed is slower than a rotation speed of the second photosensitive member for forming the second image. 1. An image forming apparatus having an intermediate transfer member that transfers an image on the intermediate transfer member to a sheet , the apparatus comprising:a first image forming unit configured to use toner of a first color to form a first image on a first photosensitive member;a second image forming unit configured to use toner of a second color that is different from the first color to form a second image on a second photosensitive member;a driving control unit configured to control a rotation speed of the second photosensitive member;a first transferring member configured to form a first transferring nip portion for transferring the first image formed on the first photosensitive member to the intermediate transfer member;a second transferring member configured to form a second transferring nip portion for transferring the second image formed on the second photosensitive member to the intermediate transfer member; anda controller configured to control a mechanism for causing contact and separation of the second photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member,wherein, in a case where the mechanism is controlled to enter a first state, ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus drives and rotates at least one of a photosensitive drum and a transport roller with use of a stepping motor in a multi-phase excitation mode. The image forming apparatus includes: a constant-voltage control unit controlling the stepping motor by applying a constant voltage for each phase; a constant-current control unit controlling the stepping motor by regulating an amount of current for each phase by a chopping control; a measuring unit measuring a chopping count of each phase on a per-step basis; a chopping count determination unit determining whether the chopping count of each phase is less than or equal to a predetermined count; and a control switching unit causing the constant-voltage control unit to control the stepping motor when the chopping count determination unit determines affirmatively, and causing the constant-current control unit to control the stepping motor when the chopping count determination unit determines negatively. 1. An image forming apparatus for driving and rotating , with use of a stepping motor in a multi-phase excitation mode , at least one of a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is to be formed and a transport roller that transports a recording sheet , the image forming apparatus comprising:a constant-voltage control unit configured to control a drive of the stepping motor by applying a constant voltage for each phase;a constant-current control unit configured to control the drive of the stepping motor by regulating an amount of current for each phase by a chopping control;a measuring unit configured to measure a chopping count of each phase on a per-step basis;a chopping count determination unit configured to determine whether the chopping count of each phase is less than or equal to a predetermined count; anda control switching unit configured to cause the constant-voltage control unit to control the drive of the stepping motor when the chopping count determination unit determines ...

ELECTRONIC PAPER, IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS, AND PRINTING CONTROL METHOD

The present application discloses an image formation apparatus that can transfer an image into electronic paper using an electronic photography method, and a printing control method for the image formation apparatus. The present electronic paper comprises an electrophoresis layer for displaying an image using an electrophoresis method, a conductive layer, and a film layer for transmitting an image; and the image formation apparatus comprises a communication interface for receiving printing data, an image formation unit for transferring an image corresponding to the printing data, and a processor for controlling the image formation unit. 1. An electronic paper comprising:an electrophoretic layer to display an image in an electrophoretic manner;a conductive layer to be disposed on top of the electrophoretic layer; anda film layer to be disposed on bottom of the electrophoretic layer to transmit the displayed image.2. The electronic paper as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electrophoretic layer includes a plurality of cell structures in which charged particles are moved according to an applied potential difference.3. The electronic paper as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the cell structure is the form of a microcapsule or the form of a cup.4. The electronic paper as claimed in claim 2 , wherein in each of the cell structures claim 2 , the charged particles are moved according to a potential difference between an upper conductive layer and a lower film layer of each of the cell structures.5. The electronic paper as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the film layer is formed of a thermoplastic resin.6. The electronic paper as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the film layer is formed of at least one material of an acrylic compound claim 5 , an amide compound claim 5 , a phthalate compound claim 5 , polypropylene claim 5 , and polyethylene.7. The electronic paper as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a protective layer to be disposed on at least one surface of the top and bottom ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

The present disclosure is directed to suppressing image defects due to variations in the values of currents flowing through respective photosensitive drums during image formation, and reducing the absolute value of a voltage applied when a primary transfer power supply unit applies a voltage of polarity opposite to that during image formation, to primary transfer members. There is provided an image forming apparatus including a transfer member configured to make contact with an inner peripheral surface of a transfer belt, a first power supply unit configured to apply a voltage to the transfer member, a resistance element connected between the first power supply unit and the transfer member, and a diode connected in parallel with the resistance element in a direction in which a current flowing in a first direction is blocked and a current flowing in a second direction is passed. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:an image bearing member configured to bear a toner image;a transfer belt configured to rotate in contact with the image bearing member;a transfer member configured to make contact with an inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt, wherein the transfer member is provided to correspond to the image bearing member;a first power supply unit configured to apply a voltage to the transfer member, wherein if the first power supply unit applies a voltage of a second polarity opposite to a first polarity to the transfer member, a current flows in a first direction through a position in which the image bearing member makes contact with the transfer belt, and if the first power supply unit applies a voltage of the first polarity to the transfer member, a current flows in a second direction opposite to the first direction through the position in which the image bearing member makes contact with the transfer belt;a resistance element connected between the first power supply unit and the transfer member; anda diode connected in parallel with the resistance ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes a control unit configured to execute a sheet discharge mode. If a case where a distance between the leading edge and the nip portion is a first distance is a first case, and a case where a distance between the leading edge of the sheet and the nip portion is a second distance shorter than the first distance and the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is the same as that in the first case is a second case, the control unit is configured to set a conveyance speed of the sheet in discharging the sheet toward the nip portion in the second case to be slower than that in the first case, in the sheet discharge mode. 1. An image forming apparatus , comprising:a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet;a conveyance path on which the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance unit;an image forming unit that forms an unfixed toner image on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit;a fixing unit that heats and pressurizes the sheet at a nip portion to fix the toner image formed by the image forming unit to the sheet;a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of the fixing unit; anda control unit configured to execute a sheet discharge mode of conveying and discharging the sheet to an outside of the apparatus in a case where the sheet stops on the conveyance path,wherein if a case where a sheet is stopped in a state where a leading edge of the sheet is positioned between the image forming unit and the nip portion and a distance between the leading edge of the sheet and the nip portion is a first distance is a first case, and a case where a sheet is stopped in a state where the leading edge of the sheet is positioned between the image forming unit and the nip portion, a distance between the leading edge of the sheet and the nip portion is a second distance shorter than the first distance and the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is the same as that in the first case is a second case, the control unit is ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND ITS CONTROL METHOD

Color shifting correction is performed first based on shifting amount information indicating a shifting amount with respect to the scanning direction on an image carrier of each image forming unit, and halftone processing is then performed, thus suppressing caused by color shifting correction, and forming a high-quality image. An image forming engine has color shifting amount storage units storing actual shifting amounts with respect to ideal scan directions on image carriers in image forming units. Color shifting correction amount arithmetic units calculate color shifting correction amounts for respective color components using stored color shifting amounts. Color shifting correction units perform color shifting correction by converting coordinates upon reading image data from bitmap memories using calculated color shifting correction amounts, and perform tone correction. Data after tone correction undergo halftone processing. PWM processors generate PWM signals for scanning, and output them to exposure units of respective image forming units. 121-. (canceled)22. An image processing apparatus comprising:a memory configured to store image data;a storage unit configured to store information indicating a shifting amount, from a base line, in a sub-scanning direction of a scanning line drawn on an image carrier of an image forming unit;a setting unit configured to set information used for a determination of a rotational speed of the image carrier;a setting unit configured to set a size of a print medium;a deriving unit configured to derive a correction amount in the sub-scanning direction of the image data on the basis of the stored information and the set information, wherein the greater a rotational speed determined on the basis of the set information, the greater a correction amount of the image data in the sub-scanning direction is;a shifting unit configured to shift a position of the image data in the sub-scanning direction on the basis of the derived correction ...

Image forming apparatus and image forming method

An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an engine unit to be used for performing an image forming job, a motor to start the engine unit, a driver circuit to sense a current flowing in the motor and supply the motor with a power source, and a processor to determine a load size of the motor based on the sensed current and control a driving speed of the motor based on the determined load size.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND STORAGE MEDIUM

An image forming apparatus includes the following, a pair of first conveying rollers, a pair of second conveying rollers, a driver which rotates and drives the second conveying rollers by a command value; and a controller which is able to control the driver to perform constant speed control to rotate the pair of second conveying rollers at a constant speed and to perform constant torque control to rotate the pair of second conveying rollers at a constant torque. When the constant torque control is performed, the controller starts the constant torque control with a predetermined initial torque. Based on sheet interval torque detected in a sheet interval term in which the pair of second conveying rollers do not sandwich and convey a sheet after the first sheet reaches the pair of second conveying rollers, the controller corrects the initial torque and calculates a command value for the next sheet. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a pair of first conveying rollers which successively convey a sheet and a pair of second conveying rollers which are provided on a downstream side of a conveying direction of the pair of first conveying rollers;a driver which rotates and drives the pair of second conveying rollers by a command value; anda controller which is able to control the driver to perform constant speed control to rotate the pair of second conveying rollers at a constant speed and to perform constant torque control to rotate the pair of second conveying rollers at a constant torque,wherein,when the constant torque control is performed, the controller starts the constant torque control with a predetermined initial torque, andbased on sheet interval torque detected in a sheet interval term in which the pair of second conveying rollers do not sandwich and convey a sheet after the first sheet reaches the pair of second conveying rollers, the controller corrects the initial torque and calculates a command value for the next sheet.2. The image forming apparatus ...

Image forming apparatus

A recording material is held and conveyed by a registration nip portion of a registration roller pair, a secondary transfer portion, and a fixing nip portion of a fixing device, respectively. The conveyance speed of the recording material in the secondary transfer portion is set to be higher than that in the fixing nip portion, and the recording material has a flexed shape between the secondary transfer portion and the fixing nip portion. The conveyance speed in the registration nip portion is increased after a leading edge of the recording material reaches the fixing nip portion. With this configuration, a force exerted on an intermediate transfer belt is canceled out with stiffness of the recording material.

METHOD OF CONTROLLING TARGET SPEED OF ROTATING MEMBER USED IN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

When a mechanism enters a first state, an intermediate transfer member separates from a second photosensitive member. When the mechanism enters a second state, the intermediate transfer member contacts the second photosensitive member. When a first monochrome image is formed on a sheet of a first type by using toner of a first color, the mechanism enters the first state. When a second monochrome image is formed on a sheet of a second type by using toner of the first color, the mechanism enters the second state. A rotation speed of the second photosensitive member for forming the second monochrome image on the sheet of the second type is controlled to a predetermined rotation speed. The predetermined rotation speed is slower than a rotation speed of the second photosensitive member for forming the second image. 120-. (canceled)21. An image forming apparatus comprising:a first image forming unit having a first photosensitive drum that rotates, the first image forming unit configured to form a first image on the first photosensitive drum by using black toner;a second image forming unit having a second photosensitive drum that rotates, the second image forming unit configured to form a second image on the second photosensitive drum by using chromatic color toner;an intermediate transfer member on which the first image and the second image are transferred;a transfer member configured to transfer the first image and the second image from the intermediate transfer member to a sheet;a motor configured to rotate the intermediate transfer member; control the intermediate transfer member in a first mode in which the intermediate transfer member contacts the first photosensitive drum and the second photosensitive drum, and', 'control the intermediate transfer member in a second mode in which the intermediate transfer member separates from the first photosensitive drum and contacts the second photosensitive drum,, 'a controller configured towherein, in a case where a black ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF PERFORMING GRADATION CORRECTION, METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

First correction data for use in a first printing mode is generated by image density measurement in the first printing mode, and second correction data for use in a second printing mode, which is different from the first printing mode in peripheral speed ratio of a developing roller to a photosensitive drum, is generated by image density measurement in the second printing mode. First processing for generating first and second correction data for the first and second printing modes, respectively, by density measurement, or second processing for generating the first correction data by density measurement and generating the second correction data using the generated first correction data and a difference in image density between the first printing mode and the second printing mode is executed. The first processing is executed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. 18-. (canceled)9. An image forming apparatus that includes a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed , and a developing roller which causes developer to attach to the photosensitive drum , and is capable of performing image formation in a first printing mode in which a peripheral speed ratio of the developing roller to the photosensitive drum is set to a predetermined peripheral speed ratio so as to form an image , and image formation in a second printing mode in which the peripheral speed ratio of the developing roller to the photosensitive drum is made larger than the predetermined peripheral speed ratio , the image forming apparatus comprising:a first generation unit configured to generate first correction data for use in the image formation in the first printing mode, by using a result of measurement of density of the image formed in the first printing mode; anda second generation unit configured to generate second correction data for use in the image formation in the second printing mode, by using the first correction data generated by the first generation unit and a ...

Image forming apparatus

A controller is configured to execute a larger gamut technology mode in which the controller performs image formation by controlling a ratio of a rotation speed of a development roller to a rotation speed of a photosensitive drum such that the ratio becomes a second speed ratio higher than a first speed ratio in a normal mode. The controller is configured to, when the controller executes the larger gamut technology mode, control transfer voltage based on a humidity around an image forming apparatus.

MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THAT DETECT ROTOR POSITION

A motor control apparatus includes: a switching power supply; a first motor configured to operate with a voltage from the switching power supply; and a control unit configured to control the first motor, wherein the control unit is further configured to cause the switching power supply to supply power of the switching power supply to a load other than the first motor before detecting an initial position of a rotor of the first motor using a current flowing through the first motor. 1. A motor control apparatus comprising:a switching power supply;a first motor configured to operate with a voltage from the switching power supply; anda control unit configured to control the first motor, whereinthe control unit is further configured to detect an initial position of a rotor of the first motor based on current flowing through the first motor during a period, in which power supply from the switching power supply to a load other than the first motor is performed.216.-. (canceled)17. The motor control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to detect the initial position of the rotor based on excitation current flowing through each of a plurality of excitation phases of the first motor.18. The motor control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first motor is further configured to have no sensor for detecting a position of the rotor.19. The motor control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to detect the initial position of the rotor during the period claim 1 , in which the power supply with at least a predetermined amount of power from the switching power supply to the load is performed.20. The motor control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to continue the power supply to the load until detection of the initial position of the rotor is started.21. The motor control apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the control unit is further ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING COUPLING MEMBER SELECTIVELY COUPLED TO PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM

An image forming apparatus includes a main body, endless belt, photosensitive drums, setting unit, contacting/separating mechanism, transmitting mechanism, and coupling members. The photosensitive drums are disposed in confrontation with the endless belt and are arranged in a first direction. Each photosensitive drum has an axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The setting unit sets the image forming apparatus to a monochrome mode or color mode. The contacting/separating mechanism controls at least one photosensitive drum to contact or separate from the endless in accordance with the set mode. The transmitting mechanism selectively transmits drive power to photosensitive drums. Each coupling member is selectively coupled to the corresponding photosensitive drum and has a coupling axis extending in the second direction. Each coupling member is uncoupled from the corresponding photosensitive drum when the contacting/separating mechanism controls the corresponding photosensitive drum to separate from the endless belt. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a main casing;a process frame movable into and out of the main casing in a first direction, the process frame including:a first wall; anda second wall spaced apart from the first wall in a second direction;a first cartridge detachably mountable to the process frame, the first cartridge being positioned between the first wall and second wall in the second direction in a state where the first cartridge is mounted to the process frame, the first cartridge including:a first developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in the second direction; anda first electrode for supplying power to the first cartridge,wherein the first cartridge is mountable to the process frame in a third direction, andwherein a portion of the first wall aligns with the electrode in the third direction.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the first wall extends in the first ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A sheet guide of an image forming apparatus includes a first upstream guide member and a first downstream guide member. The first upstream guide member includes an upstream front guide surface and an upstream rear guide surface. The first downstream guide member includes a downstream front guide surface and a downstream rear guide surface. The downstream front guide surface intersects with an imaginary plane formed by extending, toward a downstream side in a conveyance direction of a sheet, the upstream rear guide surface. The upstream front guide surface intersects with an imaginary plane that is formed by extending, toward an upstream side in the conveyance direction, the downstream rear guide surface. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the upstream rear guide surface, an edge portion of the first upstream guide member on the downstream side is inclined with respect to a width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:an image carrying member which is configured to rotate in a predetermined direction and on whose outer circumferential surface, an electrostatic latent image is formed;a developing unit configured to develop the electrostatic latent image as a toner image at a developing position on the outer circumferential surface of the image carrying member;an image transfer member configured to rotate facing a transfer position on the outer circumferential surface of the image carrying member, and transfer the toner image to a first surface of the sheet, while conveying the sheet between it and the image carrying member;a pair of conveyance rollers configured to convey the sheet toward the image carrying member; anda sheet guide disposed between the pair of conveyance rollers and the image carrying member, having a first guide surface and a second guide surface, and configured to guide a forward end of the sheet conveyed by the pair of conveyance rollers to a target position between the developing ...

DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE, DEVELOPING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME

A developing cartridge includes a developing portion to supply toner, a toner storing portion to store the toner, a partition wall formed between the developing portion and the toner storing portion and having a toner supply section, and a storing-portion agitating member rotatably disposed in the toner storing portion to intermittently rotate to move the toner in the toner storing portion while the developing portion supplies the toner. 1. A developing cartridge comprising:a developing portion to supply toner;a toner storing portion to store the toner;a partition wall formed between the developing portion and the toner storing portion, the partition wall having a toner supply section through which the toner in the toner storing portion is supplied to the developing portion; anda storing-portion agitating member rotatably disposed in the toner storing portion to intermittently rotate to move the toner in the toner storing portion while the developing portion supplies the toner.2. The developing cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the storing-portion agitating member includes an elastic member to intermittently contact the partition wall.3. The developing cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising:a developing-portion agitating member rotatably disposed in the developing portion to continuously rotate while the storing-portion agitating member intermittently rotates.4. The developing cartridge of claim 1 , whereinthe storing-portion agitating member is to intermittently rotate to move the toner to the developing portion.5. The developing cartridge of claim 2 , whereinthe elastic member is to intermittently contact the partition wall to move the toner toward the toner supply section by an elastic restoring force generated when the elastic member is separated from the partition wall.6. The developing cartridge of claim 3 , whereinthe developing-portion agitating member is disposed below the partition wall, and a rotation center of the developing-portion agitating member is ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD

In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an operation section configured to receive instruction information specifying a print media, a printer section configured to drive an image carrier, the printer section including the image carrier on which an image including a developing agent to be transferred to a print media may be formed, the image carrier drivable through a transfer section wherein the image is transferred to a print media, and a processing unit configured to determine driving information indicating a driving mode of the image carrier for carrying a developing agent, wherein the driving mode includes a mode where additional driving of the image carrier after transferring an image therefrom is performed after an ordinary image form, and control the printer section to further drive the image carrier, after transferring the developing agent onto the print media, by additionally driving the image carrier. 1. An image forming apparatus , comprising:an operation section configured to receive instruction information specifying a type of print media on which a visible image is to be formed;a printer section configured to drive an image carrier, the printer section including the image carrier on which an image including a developing agent to be transferred to a print media may be formed, the image carrier drivable through a transfer section wherein the image is transferred to a print media; and determine driving information indicating a driving mode of the image carrier for carrying a developing agent to be transferred onto the print media on the basis of the instruction information, wherein the driving mode includes at least a first mode wherein no additional driving of the image carrier after transferring an image therefrom is performed, and a second mode where additional driving of the image carrier after transferring an image therefrom is performed; and', 'control the printer section to further drive the image carrier, after ...

Systems and Methods for Remanufacturing Imaging Components

A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes: a fixer including fixing rotation body and pressing rotation body with a fixing nip therebetween, and heats and presses a fed sheet through the fixing nip to fix a toner image on the sheet to the sheet; and a hardware processor making a velocity difference between respective surface velocities of the fixing rotation body and the sheet passing through the fixing nip during a high-gloss mode operation to adjust a gloss of the toner image on the sheet. The hardware processor performs a control so that an absolute value of a velocity difference between respective surface velocities of the fixing rotation body and the pressing rotation body in press-contact when the sheet does not pass through the fixing nip is less than one between respective surface velocities of the fixing rotation body and the sheet when the sheet passes through the fixing nip during the high-gloss mode operation. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a fixer that includes a fixing rotation body and a pressing rotation body between which a fixing nip is formed, and that heats and presses a fed sheet through the fixing nip so that a toner image formed on the sheet is fixed to the sheet; anda hardware processor that makes a velocity difference between a surface velocity of the fixing rotation body and a surface velocity of the sheet passing through the fixing nip during an operation in a high-gloss mode so as to adjust a gloss of the toner image formed on the sheet, whereinthe hardware processor performs a control so that an absolute value of a velocity difference between the surface velocity of the fixing rotation body and a surface velocity of the pressing rotation body at a time when the sheet does not pass through the fixing nip with the fixing rotation body and the pressing rotation body being in press-contact with each other is less than an absolute value of the velocity difference between the surface velocity of the fixing rotation body and the surface ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

An image forming apparatus executes control for predicting a toner remaining amount, if the apparatus can acquire a predetermined value as identification information indicating a type or a manufacture of a toner cartridge. 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image using a recording material comprising:a prediction unit configured to predict a remaining amount of the recording material based on data used in forming the image;a setting unit configured to set a remaining amount of the recording material to be displayed;an identification unit configured to identify a value indicating a type of a storage unit for storing the recording material; anda control unit configured to perform control, if the identification unit identifies a predetermined value, to set the remaining amount of the recording material predicted by the prediction unit as the remaining amount of the recording material to be displayed.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein claim 1 , if the identification unit does not identify the predetermined value claim 1 , the control unit does not perform control to set the remaining amount of the recording material predicted by the prediction unit as the remaining amount of the recording material to be displayed.3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an acquisition unit configured to acquire the remaining amount of the recording material claim 1 , wherein claim 1 , if the identification unit does not identify the predetermined value claim 1 , the control unit performs control to set the remaining amount of the recording material acquired by the acquisition unit as the remaining amount of the recording material to be displayed.4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , if the identification unit identify the predetermined value claim 3 , the control unit performs control to correct the remaining amount of the recording material to be displayed based on the remaining amount of the recording ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING MOTOR CONTROLLER, PAPER CONVEYANCE METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: a registration roller; a motor configured to drive the registration roller; and a controller configured to control the motor. The registration roller is disposed at a first position on a conveyance path of paper on which an image is to be formed, and sends out the paper toward a second position on the conveyance path. The second position is downstream from the first position on the conveyance path and is an image transfer position on the paper. The controller controls the motor by using both speed control and position control when the leading end of the paper is at a position from the first position to the second position, and controls the motor by using only the speed control when the leading end of the paper reaches the second position. 1. An image forming apparatus , comprising:a registration roller disposed at a first position on a conveyance path of a sheet on which an image is to be formed, the registration roller configured to send the sheet toward an image transfer position on the conveyance path downstream from the first position on the conveyance path;a motor configured to drive the registration roller; anda controller configured to control the motor using both speed control for keeping a rotational speed of the motor at a target speed and position control for keeping a rotational position of the motor at a target position when a leading end of the sheet is at a position between the first position and the image transfer position, and to control the motor using only the speed control when the leading end of the sheet reaches the image transfer position.2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe controller is further configured to control the motor in accordance with a timing at which an image is transferred onto the sheet.3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:a sensor configured to detect the rotational position of the motor.4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes a processing unit, a main frame, a drive source, and a door-type positioning panel. The processing unit performs at least part of image formation. The main frame supports the processing unit such that the processing unit is pulled out or housed. The drive source is provided on the main frame and connected to a first end of a processing drive shaft of the processing unit to provide rotative power. The door-type positioning panel positions and supports a second end of the processing drive shaft by using an insert hole. An end of the door-type positioning panel is supported by the main frame such that the panel swings on a support axis. The door-type positioning panel includes a fit hole that is closer to a swinging end of the panel than to the support axis and fits to a positioning shaft provided on the main frame. 1. An image forming apparatus , comprising:a processing unit that performs at least part of image formation;a main frame that supports the processing unit such that the processing unit is pulled out or housed;a drive source that is provided on the main frame and connected to a first end of a processing drive shaft of the processing unit to provide rotative power to the processing drive shaft; anda door-type positioning panel that positions and supports a second end of the processing drive shaft by using an insert hole, whereinan end of the door-type positioning panel is supported by the main frame such that the door-type positioning panel swings on a support axis, andthe door-type positioning panel includes a fit hole that is closer to a swinging end of the door-type positioning panel than to the support axis and fits to a positioning shaft provided on the main frame.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a printhead unit claim 1 , whereinthe positioning shaft includes a printhead reference shaft that positions the printhead unit in the main frame.3. The image forming apparatus according ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A control unit first drives a photosensitive drum at a normal speed that is faster than a low speed, and the control unit subsequently changes the drive speed of the photosensitive drum from the normal speed to the low speed after a transfer belt is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum that is driven at the normal speed. 1. An image forming apparatus , comprising:a photosensitive drum that bears a toner image;a cleaning unit that is in contact with the photosensitive drum and cleans toner from the photosensitive drum;a transfer belt that transfers the toner image from the photosensitive drum to a recording medium; anda control unit that controls drive speed of the photosensitive drum,wherein the control unit drives the photosensitive drum at a first drive speed that is the slowest among drive speeds that can be set by the control unit in a case that the photosensitive drum and the transfer belt are separated from each other and the photosensitive drum stops, andwherein the control unit subsequently changes the drive speed of the photosensitive drum from a second drive speed to the first drive speed after the transfer belt is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum that is driven at the second drive speed, the second drive speed being faster than the first drive speed.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a first drive source that drives the photosensitive drum and a second drive source that drives the transfer belt claim 1 , wherein the first drive source and the second drive source are different drive sources.3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a first drive source that drives the photosensitive drum and a second drive source that drives the transfer belt claim 1 , wherein the first drive source and the second drive source are a common drive source.4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a development roller that can be in contact with ...

RETAINING MEMBER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME

A retaining member has annular inner and outer circumferential portions, a connection portion, engagement projections, a slit, a grip portion, a first inclined surface, and a second inclined surface. The engagement projections projects from a shaft-facing surface of the inner circumferential surface. The slit is formed in the inner circumferential portion. The grip portion projects outward in the radial direction from an outer rim of the outer circumferential portion. The first inclined surface is formed at an upstream-side end part of the grip portion with respect to a direction of fitting to the shaft to be inclined outward in the radial direction from upstream side to downstream side in the fitting direction. The second inclined surface is formed at a downstream-side end part of the grip portion to be inclined outward in the radial direction from downstream side to upstream side in the fitting direction. 1. A retaining member that is fitted to an end part of a shaft to prevent detachment of the shaft from a holding member or to prevent detachment of a rotary body provided around the shaft , and that is integrally formed of an elastically deformable material , the retaining member comprising:an inner circumferential portion which is annular and faces the end part of the shaft supported by the holding member;an outer circumferential portion which is annular and arranged outside the inner circumferential portion in a radial direction;a connection portion which connects the inner circumferential portion and the outer circumferential portion to each other in the radial direction;a plurality of engagement projections which project from a shaft-facing surface of the inner circumferential portion, the shaft-facing surface facing the shaft, and which engage with an engagement groove formed in an outer circumferential surface of the shaft;a slit which is formed at one or more positions in the inner circumferential portion so as to cut the inner circumferential portion in ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a printer and a controller. The printer performs image formation on a sheet at a first speed relating to a speed of image formation or at a second speed slower than the first speed. The controller acquires information on deterioration of developer contained in an own apparatus, and controls the printer to perform image formation at the first speed when the information does not satisfy a predetermined condition indicating that the developer is deteriorated and to perform image formation at the second speed when the information satisfies the predetermined condition. 1. An image forming apparatus , comprising:a printer configured to form an image on a sheet at a first speed relating to a speed of image formation or at a second speed slower than the first speed; anda controller configured to acquire information on deterioration of developer contained in the image forming apparatus, and to control the printer to form the image at the first speed when the information does not satisfy a predetermined condition indicating that the developer is deteriorated and to form the image at the second speed when the information satisfies the predetermined condition.2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe controller controls the printer to form the image at the first speed when the information on the deterioration is less than a threshold value indicating that the developer is deteriorated and to form the image at the second speed when the information on the deterioration is equal to or greater than the threshold value.3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , whereinthe controller measures a drive time of a predetermined apparatus relating to image formation, and controls the printer to form the image at the first speed when the drive time is less than the threshold value and to form the image at the second speed when the drive time is equal to or greater than the threshold value.4. The apparatus according to ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a printer and a controller. The printer performs image formation on a sheet at a first speed relating to a speed of image formation or at a second speed slower than the first speed. The controller acquires information on deterioration of developer contained in an own apparatus, and controls the printer to perform image formation at the first speed when the information does not satisfy a predetermined condition indicating that the developer is deteriorated and to perform image formation at the second speed when the information satisfies the predetermined condition. 1. An image forming apparatus , comprising:a printer configured to form an image on a sheet at a first speed relating to a speed of image formation or at a second speed slower than the first speed; anda controller configured to acquire information on deterioration of developer contained in the image forming apparatus, and to control the printer to form the image at the first speed when the information does not satisfy a predetermined condition indicating that the developer is deteriorated and to form the image at the second speed when the information satisfies the predetermined condition,wherein the controller controls the printer to form the image at the first speed when the information on the deterioration is less than a threshold value indicating that the developer is deteriorated and to form the image at the second speed when the information on the deterioration is equal to or greater than the threshold value, andwherein the controller measures a drive time of a predetermined apparatus relating to image formation, and controls the printer to form the image at the first speed when the drive time is less than the threshold value and to form the image at the second speed when the drive time is equal to or greater than the threshold value.2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe controller counts a number of sheets on which the ...

Image Forming Apparatus Including Coupling Member Selectively Coupled to Photosensitive Drum

An image forming apparatus includes a main body, endless belt, photosensitive drums, setting unit, contacting/separating mechanism, transmitting mechanism, and coupling members. The photosensitive drums are disposed in confrontation with the endless belt and are arranged in a first direction. Each photosensitive drum has an axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The setting unit sets the image forming apparatus to a monochrome mode or color mode. The contacting/separating mechanism controls at least one photosensitive drum to contact or separate from the endless in accordance with the set mode. The transmitting mechanism selectively transmits drive power to photosensitive drums. Each coupling member is selectively coupled to the corresponding photosensitive drum and has a coupling axis extending in the second direction. Each coupling member is uncoupled from the corresponding photosensitive drum when the contacting/separating mechanism controls the corresponding photosensitive drum to separate from the endless belt.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS PERFORMING CONTACT CONTROL OR SEPARATION CONTROL OF PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUMS AND DEVELOPING ROLLERS

A CPU selects which speed to execute a contact control of photosensitive drums and developing rollers of a plurality of process stations at, a normal speed or a speed higher than the normal speed. The CPU selects which speed to execute a separation control of the photosensitive drums and the developing rollers of the plurality of process stations at, a normal speed or a speed higher than the normal speed. The CPU further selects contact controls and separation controls so that a difference between the number of times of execution of the contact control at the speed higher than the normal speed and the number of times of execution of the separation control at the speed higher than the normal speed becomes less than or equal to a predetermined number of times. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a plurality of image forming units including respective photosensitive drums, and developing rollers configured to develop latent images formed on the photosensitive drums;a contact/separation unit configured to shift the photosensitive drums and the developing rollers of the plurality of image forming units from a separated state to a contact state or from the contact state to the separated state;a driving unit configured to drive the contact/separation unit; anda control unit configured to execute a first contact control, in which the driving unit is driven at a first speed and the photosensitive drums and the developing rollers of the plurality of image forming units are shifted from the separated state to the contact state, or a second contact control, in which the driving unit is driven at a second speed higher than the first speed and the photosensitive drums and the developing rollers of the plurality of image forming units are shifted from the separated state to the contact state, and execute a first separation control, in which the driving unit is driven at a third speed and the photosensitive drums and the developing rollers of the plurality of image forming ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM

An image forming apparatus includes: a toner-image fixer that fixes an unfixed toner image on a sheet by conveying the sheet while heating and pressing the sheet at a fixing nip; a pressing force changer that changes a pressing force against the sheet at the fixing nip; and a hardware processor that controls the toner-image fixer and the pressing force changer, in which when a conveying speed of the sheet is changed by controlling the toner-image fixer, the hardware processor causes the conveying speed to change in a state in which the pressing force is decreased by controlling the pressing force changer. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a toner-image fixer that fixes an unfixed toner image on a sheet by conveying the sheet while heating and pressing the sheet at a fixing nip;a pressing force changer that changes a pressing force against the sheet at the fixing nip; anda hardware processor that controls the toner-image fixer and the pressing force changer, whereinwhen a conveying speed of the sheet is changed by controlling the toner-image fixer, the hardware processor causes the conveying speed to change in a state in which the pressing force is decreased by controlling the pressing force changer.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:the toner-image fixer changes the pressing force, based on a printing condition in which an intensity of the pressing force is categorized in a plurality of stages; andwhen the conveying speed is changed by a start of driving or an end of driving of the toner-image fixer, the hardware processor causes the conveying speed to change while the state in which the pressing force is decreased is set to a state of a small pressing force among the stages.3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:the toner-image fixer changes the pressing force, based on a printing condition in which an intensity of the pressing force is categorized in a plurality of stages; andwhen the conveying speed is ...

DRIVE TRANSMITTING MEMBER, DRIVE TRANSMITTING DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A drive transmitting member including: a gear portion that is formed of a first resin and has gear teeth; and a flange portion that is formed of a second resin, in which the flange portion includes a shaft portion that transmits driving force from the gear teeth to a drive transmitted member, and a rotation stopper (i) that stops rotation of the gear portion with respect to the flange portion at an outer periphery of the flange portion and (ii) that is larger than an external form of the shaft portion, so that the shaft portion and the rotation stopper are integrally molded in the flange portion, and the gear portion has a shape that covers the rotation stopper and is not overlapped with the shaft portion as viewed in an axial direction of the shaft portion. 1. A drive transmitting member comprising:a gear portion that is formed of a first resin and has gear teeth; anda flange portion that is formed of a second resin, whereinthe flange portion includes a shaft portion that transmits driving force from the gear teeth to a drive transmitted member, and a rotation stopper (i) that stops rotation of the gear portion with respect to the flange portion at an outer periphery of the flange portion and (ii) that is larger than an external form of the shaft portion, so that the shaft portion and the rotation stopper are integrally molded in the flange portion, andthe gear portion has a shape that covers the rotation stopper and is not overlapped with the shaft portion as viewed in an axial direction of the shaft portion.2. The drive transmitting member according to claim 1 , whereina linear expansion coefficient of the first resin is larger than a linear expansion coefficient of the second resin.3. The drive transmitting member according to claim 2 , wherein{'sup': '−5', 'the linear expansion coefficient of the first resin is 7.0×10(/° C.) or more.'}4. The drive transmitting member according to claim 1 , whereinflexural strength of the first resin is smaller than flexural ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A image forming apparatus having an all contact full color mode and an all contact monochrome mode. During an image forming job in which image forming is successively performed on a plurality of recording materials, in case that an image is formed using only the first image forming unit with the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit being in contact with the intermediate transfer member after an image has been formed using both of the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit, the controller determines whether the all contact full color mode or the all contact monochrome mode is performed based on an image forming speed to be performed. 1. An image forming apparatus , comprising:a first image forming unit;a second image forming unit;an intermediate transfer member on which an image formed by the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit is transferred; anda controller configured to control the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit, an image bearing member; and', 'a developing device configured to develop a latent image formed on the image bearing member,, 'wherein the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit respectively includes (1) an all contact full color mode in which image formation is performed using only the first image forming unit with the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit being in contact with the intermediate transfer member, the image bearing member and the developing device of the second image forming unit being driven in the all contact full color mode; and', '(2) an all contact monochrome mode in which image formation is performed using only the first image forming unit with the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit being in contact with the intermediate transfer member, the image bearing member of the second image forming unit being driven and the developing device of the second image forming unit being stopped ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING COUPLING MEMBER SELECTIVELY COUPLED TO PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM

An image forming apparatus includes a main body, endless belt, photosensitive drums, setting unit, contacting/separating mechanism, transmitting mechanism, and coupling members. The photosensitive drums are disposed in confrontation with the endless belt and are arranged in a first direction. Each photosensitive drum has an axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The setting unit sets the image forming apparatus to a monochrome mode or color mode. The contacting/separating mechanism controls at least one photosensitive drum to contact or separate from the endless in accordance with the set mode. The transmitting mechanism selectively transmits drive power to photosensitive drums. Each coupling member is selectively coupled to the corresponding photosensitive drum and has a coupling axis extending in the second direction. Each coupling member is uncoupled from the corresponding photosensitive drum when the contacting/separating mechanism controls the corresponding photosensitive drum to separate from the endless belt. 1. A process frame configured to move relative to a main casing of an image forming apparatus between a first position and a second position , the process frame being in the main casing in a case where the process frame is in the first position , and the process frame being out of the main casing in a case where the process frame is in the second position , and the process frame including:a first photosensitive drum supported by and movable with the process frame in a case where the process frame moves relative to the main casing between the first position and the second position, and the first photosensitive drum being detachable from the process frame; anda second photosensitive drum supported by and movable with the process frame in a case where the process frame moves relative to the main casing between the first position and the second position, and the second photosensitive drum being non-detachably supported by ...

Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer member configured to rotate an image bearing member by contacting and operating the image bearing member to be driven, an image bearing member drive unit configured to drive the image bearing member by generating an assist torque for operating the image bearing member to be driven, an extraction unit configured to extract an image bearing member speed fluctuation component and an intermediate transfer member speed fluctuation component, and a control unit configured to output a torque instruction value to the image bearing member drive unit to control the assist torque generated by the image bearing member drive unit, wherein the control unit controls the assist torque generated by the image bearing member drive unit so that a difference between the image bearing member speed fluctuation component and the intermediate transfer member speed fluctuation component is within a predetermined range.

PRINTING SYSTEM AND PRINTING METHOD FOR PRINT JOB

A printing system comprising a print unit which executes printing for a print job according to a print instruction received from a user, comprises: a determination unit that determines whether or not selecting a printing speed from among a plurality of candidates of printing speeds for the print job is permitted, a display unit that displays, based on the determination, the plurality of candidates for the print job so as to be selectable by the user, and a control unit controls the print unit to execute, based on the selection by the user, the printing for the print job at a printing speed selected from the displayed plurality of printing speed candidates. 1. A printing system comprising a print unit which executes printing for a print job according to a print instruction received from a user , comprising:a determination unit that determines whether or not selecting a printing speed from among a plurality of candidates of printing speeds for the print job is permitted;a display unit that displays, based on the determination, the plurality of candidates for the print job so as to be selectable by the user; anda control unit controls the print unit to execute, based on the selection by the user, the printing for the print job at a printing speed selected from the displayed plurality of printing speed candidates.2. The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit associates the selected printing speed with the print job claim 1 , and controls the print unit to execute the printing for the print job at the associated printing speed.3. The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit displays the printing speed candidates so as to be selectable when the print instruction is received from the user.4. The printing system according to claim 1 , whereinthe display unit displays, together with the plurality of printing speed candidates, information based on a required amount accompanying a print operation in a case of performing printing ...

RETAINING MEMBER AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME

A retaining member is integrally formed of an elastically deformable material, and has an inner circumferential portion, an outer circumferential portion, a linkage portion, a plurality of engagement claws, and a slit. The inner and outer circumferential portions are ring-shaped, and the outer circumferential portion is disposed outside the inner circumferential portion in a radial direction. The linkage portion connects the inner circumferential portion and the outer circumferential portion to each other in the radial direction. The engagement claws project from a surface of the inner circumferential portion pointing in a direction of the shaft, and engage with an engagement groove formed in an outer peripheral surface of the shaft. The slit is formed on a side opposite from the linkage portion with a center of the inner circumferential portion located between the slit and the linkage portion, and cuts the inner circumferential portion in the radial direction. 1. A retaining member which is mounted on an end part of a shaft supported by a holding member , and prevents the shaft from coming off from the holding member or prevents a rotary body mounted around the shaft from coming off , the retaining member comprising:an inner circumferential portion which is ring-shaped and faces the end part of the shaft supported by the holding member;an outer circumferential portion which is ring-shaped and disposed outside the inner circumferential portion in a radial direction;a linkage portion which connects the inner circumferential portion and the outer circumferential portion to each other in the radial direction;a plurality of engagement claws which project from a surface of the inner circumferential portion pointing in a direction of the shaft, and engage with an engagement groove formed in an outer peripheral surface of the shaft; anda slit which is formed on a side opposite from the linkage portion with a center of the inner circumferential portion located between the ...

ELECTRONIC APPARATUS THAT INCLUDES MOTOR SUPPLIED WITH POWER FROM AT LEAST TWO POWER SUPPLY UNITS

An electronic apparatus includes a motor, a first power supply unit, a second power supply unit, a control unit, and a delay unit. The first power supply unit supplies a first voltage to the motor. The second power supply unit supplies a second voltage higher than the first voltage to the motor. The control unit supplies and stops supplying the second voltage from the second power supply unit to the motor while supplying the first voltage from the first power supply unit to the motor. The delay unit delays a rise in the second voltage supplied from the second power supply unit to the motor. 1. An electronic apparatus comprising:a motor;a first power supply unit configured to supply a first voltage to the motor;a second power supply unit configured to supply a second voltage higher than the first voltage to the motor;a control unit configured to supply and stop supplying the second voltage from the second power supply unit to the motor while supplying the first voltage from the first power supply unit to the motor; anda delay unit configured to delay a rise in the second voltage supplied from the second power supply unit to the motor.2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the delay unit is a resistor-capacitor circuit.3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to alternately supply and stop supplying the second voltage from the second power supply unit to the motor while supplying the first voltage from the first power supply unit to the motor.4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a first switch disposed between the second power supply unit and the motor claim 1 ,wherein the control unit is configured to turn on and off the first switch.5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the delay unit is configured to delay a rise of a control signal that is output from the control unit to control the first switch.6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4 ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes a motor, an image formation-transfer section, a switching mechanism, a fixing section, and a controller. The motor generates driving force. The image formation-transfer section state-changes between a first contact state and a first separate state by the driving force. The switching mechanism transmits and cuts off the driving force to the image formation-transfer section. The fixing section includes first and second rotating members, and state-changes between a second contact state and a second separate state by the driving force. The controller controls the motor and the switching mechanism and thereby causes part or all of a first period, in which the fixing section state-changes from the second separate state to the second contact state, and part or all of a second period, in which the image formation-transfer section state-changes from the first separate state to the first contact state, to overlap each other. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a motor that generates driving force;an image formation-transfer section that includes an image carrier and a transfer section, the image formation-transfer section state-changing between a first contact state and a first separate state by the driving force generated by the motor, the first contact state being a state in which the image carrier and the transfer section are in contact with each other, the first separate state being a state in which the image carrier and the transfer section are separated away from each other, the image formation-transfer section forming a developer image on a medium or the transfer section in the first contact state;a switching mechanism that transmits and cuts off the driving force to the image formation-transfer section;a fixing section that includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member, the fixing section state-changing between a second contact state and a second separate state by the driving force generated by the motor, the ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image carrier that carries an image, a charging unit having a rotatable charging member that charges the image carrier, a developing unit that supplies a developer including at least toner to the charged image carrier, and a cleaning unit having a cleaning member that cleans a surface of the image carrier. At least when the image forming apparatus is not performing image formation, the charging member on which the toner is carried is caused to rotate at a peripheral velocity different from a peripheral velocity at which the image carrier rotates. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a rotatable image carrier that carries an image;a charging unit having a rotatable charging member that charges the image carrier;a developing unit that supplies a developer including at least toner to the charged image carrier; anda cleaning unit having a cleaning member that cleans a surface of the image carrier,wherein at least when the image forming apparatus is not performing image formation, the charging member on which the toner is carried is caused to rotate at a peripheral velocity different from a peripheral velocity at which the image carrier rotates.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the toner supplied by the developing device to the image carrier is carried onto the charging member.3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein in the charging device, the charging member is applied with a voltage that causes the toner to be carried onto the charging member.4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 ,wherein in the charging device, the charging member is applied with a voltage that causes the toner carried on the charging member to move onto the image carrier.5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein in the cleaning unit, in response to supply of the toner from the developing unit to the image carrier, the cleaning member is moved away from the image carrier ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD

An image forming apparatus includes a developing section, an image carrier, a deviation correction section, a specific pixel detection section and a determination section. The developing section forms a visible image on a photoconductor for each type of developer. The image carrier carries the visible images formed in a plurality of the developing sections. The deviation correction section corrects position deviation of the plurality of visible images formed on the image carrier. The specific pixel detection section detects the specific pixel used to form an image with a plurality types of developers. The determination section determines execution of correction in the deviation correction section according to information indicating an amount of the specific pixels. 1. An image forming apparatus , comprising:a developing section configured to form a visible image on a photoconductor for each type of developer;an image carrier configured to carry visible images formed in a plurality of the developing sections;a deviation correction section configured to correct position deviation of the plurality of visible images formed on the image carrier;a specific pixel detection section configured to detect a specific pixel used to form an image with each type of developer; anda determination section configured to determine execution of correction in the deviation correction section according to information indicating an amount of the specific pixels.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe determination section determines whether or not a first condition correlating with occurrence of a transfer position deviation is satisfied and determines execution of correction in the deviation correction section based on the first condition and a second condition which is based on a detection result of the specific pixel.3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising:a temperature sensor in apparatus configured to detect a temperature ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus including a cartridge including a rotating member, the cartridge including a driving force receiving member, and an apparatus main body to which the cartridge is detachably attachable. The apparatus main body including a driving force transmitting member, an output member, and a biasing member disposed between the output member and the driving force transmitting member, wherein when the cartridge is detached from the apparatus main body and an engagement between the driving force transmitting member and the driving force receiving member is released, the driving force transmitting member is rotated relative to the output member in the predetermined rotation direction by biasing force of the biasing member. 1. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material , the image forming apparatus comprising:a cartridge including a rotating member and a driving force receiving member that is rotatable together with the rotating member and is arranged to receive driving force for rotating the rotating member; and a driving force transmitting member arranged to rotate and transmit the driving force to the driving force receiving member,', 'an output member rotatable about an axis arranged coaxially with that of the driving force transmitting member, the output member being arranged to transmit the driving force to the driving force transmitting member and to have play between itself and the driving force transmitting member in a rotation direction of the driving force transmitting member, and', 'a biasing member disposed between the output member and the driving force transmitting member, the biasing member biasing the driving force transmitting member in a predetermined rotation direction relative to the output member,, 'an apparatus main body to which the cartridge is detachably attachable, the apparatus main body including,'}wherein one of the driving force transmitting member and the driving force receiving member includes a ...

Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus

A sheet feeding device comprising: a stacking member on which a sheet is stacked; a first conveying portion that conveys a sheet stacked on the stacking member; a second conveying portion that separates and conveys a sheet conveyed by the first conveying portion; a stopper member that stops a sheet whose front end is abutted against the stopper member at an upstream of the second conveying portion in a sheet conveying direction, wherein the stopper member can be at a first position where the sheet can be stopped and a second position where the sheet can pass the stopper member, and wherein the stopper member can move from the first position toward the second position such that a sheet conveyed by the first conveying portion reaches the second conveying portion while maintaining a state where the front end of the sheet is abutted to the stopper member.

Drive transmission unit and image forming apparatus incorporating same

A drive transmission unit is described that includes a drive source, and a rotatable drive transmitting member to transmit a driving force from the drive source. The drive transmitting member includes a bottom part intersecting an axis of the drive transmitting member, a circular transmitting part extending from the bottom part in an axial direction of the drive transmitting member and including an internal toothed surface on an inner circumferential surface of the transmitting part to mesh with a first member, and a first projecting part and a second projecting part projecting in opposite directions from the bottom part along the axial direction of the drive transmitting member and having different diameters.

Image forming apparatus including a speed changing unit

An image forming apparatus includes image forming units, supply devices, and a speed changing unit. The image forming units form toner images of different colors. Each of the image forming units includes a developing device containing toner of a corresponding one of the different colors. The supply devices supply toner to the developing devices. In a high development mode, the speed changing unit changes a drive rotational speed of the developing device or a speed of an image formation operation to a lower speed compared with a case of a normal mode. The normal mode is a mode in which a toner image is formed with a normal amount of toner adhesion. The high development mode is a mode in which at least one of the image forming units forms a toner image with a large amount of toner adhesion.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes: an image bearing member; a developer carrying member configured to contact with the image bearing member and to be separated from the image bearing member; a control unit for controlling the image bearing member and the developer carrying member; and a contact member disposed in contact with the image bearing member. The control unit is configured to sequentially execute: (1) rotating the image bearing member at a first speed in a separated state; (2) switching the image bearing member and the developer carrying member from the separated state to a contact state in a state in which the image bearing member rotates at the first speed; and (3) rotating the image bearing member by decreasing a rotation speed of the image bearing member from the first speed to a second speed smaller than the first speed in the contact state. 1. An image forming apparatus , comprising:an image bearing member;a developer carrying member configured to carry a developer and be able to take a contact state in which the developer carrying member contacts with the image bearing member and a separated state in which the developer carrying member is separated from the image bearing member;a control unit configured to control the image bearing member and the developer carrying member; anda contact member disposed in contact with a surface of the image bearing member,wherein the control unit is configured to sequentially execute:(1) rotating the image bearing member at a first speed in the separated state;(2) switching from the separated state to the contact state when the image bearing member rotates at the first speed; and(3) rotating the image bearing member by decreasing a rotation speed of the image bearing member from the first speed to a second speed smaller than the first speed in the contact state,in order to rotate the image bearing member at the second speed in the contact state.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes: a belt unit including a transfer belt and a first memory that stores a first sheet conveying speed of the transfer belt; a second memory storing a first reference value and a second sheet conveying speed of the fixing unit a controller configured to: control at least one of the belt motor and the fixing motor to bring the speed difference between the sheet conveying speed of the transfer belt and the sheet conveying speed of the fixing unit closer to the first reference value by setting a rotational speed of the fixing motor based on the first reference value and a first speed difference between the first sheet conveying speed read from the first memory and the second sheet conveying speed read from the second memory. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:an apparatus main body;a photosensitive drum;a belt unit that is detachably attachable to the apparatus main body, the belt unit including a transfer belt and a first memory, the transfer belt being configured to convey the sheet and to transfer a toner image on the photosensitive drum onto the sheet, the first memory storing a first sheet conveying speed which is a sheet conveying speed of the transfer belt;a fixing unit configured to fix the toner image on the sheet conveyed by the transfer belt to the sheet in a state where the belt unit is attached to the apparatus main body;a belt motor configured to drive the transfer belt;a fixing motor configured to drive the fixing unit;a second memory storing a second sheet conveying speed and a first reference value, wherein the second sheet conveying speed is a sheet conveying speed of the fixing unit, and wherein the first reference value is a reference value of a speed difference between the sheet conveying speed of the transfer belt and the sheet conveying speed of the fixing unit; anda controller configured to:read the first sheet conveying speed from the first memory;read the second sheet conveying speed from the second ...

Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member, an intermediate transfer member, a moving member, a driving motor, a stepper motor, a detector, a phase determiner, and a controller. The stepper motor drives the moving member to move between a first position at which the photosensitive member contacts the intermediate transfer member and a second position at which the photosensitive member contacts the intermediate transfer member are separated. The controller includes a first control mode to control a motor based on a predetermined current magnitude and a second control mode to control a motor by vector control. The controller starts driving the driving motor in the first control mode, and then switches from the first control mode to the second control mode. The controller controls the stepper motor in the first control mode during a period from when the stepper motor is activated to when the stepper motor is stopped.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH TOP EMISSION LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE

A second electrode is laminated on a light emitting layer on an opposite side across the light emitting layer from a first electrode laminated on a silicon substrate. The second electrode is capable of transmitting light. A photoconductor drum is exposed to light by using light transmitted through the second electrode. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a photoconductor configured to be driven to rotate about a rotational axis; andan exposure head that includes a light emitting device, and a lens array configured to guide light emitted from the light emitting device to a photoconductor surface, wherein a silicon substrate that includes a drive circuit configured to drive the light emitting device,', 'a first electrode layer that includes a plurality of electrodes arranged in a two-dimensional array in a rotation direction of the photoconductor and in a direction substantially parallel to the rotational axis and separately formed on the silicon substrate,', 'a light emitting layer formed in a layer on the first electrode layer and configured to produce light when a voltage is applied, and', 'a second electrode layer provided in common for the plurality of electrodes of the first electrode layer on an opposite side across the light emitting layer from a side on which the silicon substrate and the first electrode layer are disposed and configured to be capable of transmitting light,, 'the light emitting device includes'}the drive circuit is configured to control a voltage of each of the electrodes included in the first electrode layer in accordance with image data such that the light emitting layer produces light, andthe lens array is disposed between the second electrode layer and the photoconductor surface such that light transmitted through the second electrode layer is guided onto the photoconductor.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe plurality of electrodes includes a first electrode and a second electrode adjacent to the first ...

BI-DIRECTIONAL SPRING BRAKE FOR A PHOTODUCTIVE DRUM

A photoconductive drum assembly according to one embodiment includes a photoconductive drum rotatable about a rotational axis in first and second rotational directions. A spring brake has a coiled portion wrapped around a portion of the photoconductive drum at its axial end and around the rotational axis of the photoconductive drum. The spring brake has a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is positioned to flex in an unwinding direction causing the coiled portion to unwind upon the first arm receiving a force in the first rotational direction. The first arm is positioned to flex in a winding direction and to push the second arm in an unwinding direction relieving winding of the coiled portion caused by the flexing of the first arm in the winding direction of the first arm upon the first arm receiving a force in the second rotational direction. 1. A spring brake for use with a photoconductive drum of an electrophotographic image forming device , comprising:a spring wire having a coiled portion and first and second arms extending from the coiled portion, the coiled portion is coiled around a center axis, each of the first arm and the second arm has a winding direction around the center axis and an unwinding direction around the center axis, a force on the first arm in the winding direction of the first arm causes the coiled portion to wind and a force on the first arm in the unwinding direction of the first arm causes the coiled portion to unwind, a force on the second arm in the winding direction of the second arm causes the coiled portion to wind and a force on the second arm in the unwinding direction of the second arm causes the coiled portion to unwind,wherein in home positions of the first arm and the second arm, a portion of the second arm is positioned in close proximity to the first arm such that flexing of the first arm from the home position of the first arm in the winding direction of the first arm causes the first arm to push the second arm from ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CHANGING PRODUCTIVITY ACCORDING TO DISCHARGED SHEET NUMBER

An image forming apparatus that is capable of preventing discharged sheet adhesion while lowering degradation of productivity. A print unit prints an image on a sheet based on a print job. A fixing unit fixes the image primed on the sheet to the sheet. The sheet to which the image is fixed is discharged to a discharge tray. A counter counts discharged sheet number that is the number of sheets discharged to the discharge tray during a continuous print operation. A controller controls the print unit so as to lower productivity that is discharging sheet number per unit time in response to increase in the discharged sheet number counted by the counter and so as to recover the productivity in a case where the sheets discharged to the discharge tray are removed in a state where the productivity is lowered. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a print unit configured to print an image on a sheet based on a print job;a fixing unit configured to fix the image printed on the sheet to the sheet;a discharge tray to which the sheet to which the image is fixed is discharged;a counter configured to count discharged sheet number that is the number of sheets discharged to the discharge tray during a continuous print operation;a controller configured to control the print unit so as to lower productivity that is discharging sheet number per unit time in response to increase in the discharged sheet number counted by the counter and so as to recover the productivity in a case where the sheets discharged to the discharge tray are removed in a state where the productivity is lowered.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller the productivity to a first level in a case where the discharged sheet number exceeds a first predetermined value that is smaller than maximum number of sheets that are allowed to be stacked on the discharge tray.3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the controller lowers the productivity to a second level ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a printer and a controller. The printer performs image formation on a sheet at a first speed relating to a speed of image formation or at a second speed slower than the first speed. The controller acquires information on deterioration of developer contained in an own apparatus, and controls the printer to perform image formation at the first speed when the information does not satisfy a predetermined condition indicating that the developer is deteriorated and to perform image formation at the second speed when the information satisfies the predetermined condition. 1. An image forming apparatus , comprising: at a first speed relating to a speed of image formation, or', 'at a second speed slower than the first speed; and, 'a printer configured to form an image on a sheet'} measure a drive time of a predetermined apparatus relating to image formation, and', form the image at the first speed when the drive time is less than a threshold value indicating that the developer is deteriorated, and', 'form the image at the second speed when the drive time is equal to or greater than the threshold value., 'control the printer to'}], 'a controller configured to'}2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe controller further counts a number of sheets on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus and controls the printer to form the image at the first speed when the number of sheets is less than the threshold value and to form the image at the second speed when the number of sheets is equal to or greater than the threshold value.3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe controller further counts a number of print jobs by which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus and controls the printer to form the image at the first speed when the number of print jobs is less than the threshold value and to form the image at the second speed when the number of ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

One aspect is an image forming apparatus including a motor that drives a first member, a second member, a movement member that moves between a first position where the first and second members contact and a second position where the first and second members are separated, and a controller that receives an instruction to start a print job for forming an image on a recording medium, and executes an initial operation for determining a phase of a rotor of the motor in a stopping state of the rotor based on current flowing through a coil of the motor by supplying current to the coil in the stopping state in a state where the movement member is located at the first position, to control the current supplied to the coil to rotate the rotor in the stopping state based on the phase determined in the initial operation. 1. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium , the image forming apparatus comprising:a motor configured to drive a first member;a second member;a movement member configured to move between a first position and a second position, the first member and the second member being in contact with each other in a state where the movement member is located at the first position, the first member and the second member being separated from each other in a state where the movement member is located at the second position and; receive an instruction to start a print job for forming the image on the recording medium, the movement member moving from the second position to the first position based on reception of the instruction by the controller;', 'execute an initial operation in a state where the movement member is located at the first position, wherein, in the initial operation, the controller determines a phase of a rotor of the motor in a stopping state where the rotor stops based on a current flowing through a coil of the motor by supplying the current to the coil of the motor in the stopping state, and', 'control the current supplied to the ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A control unit performs control to make a direction of an electric field generated in a first area of an image carrier forming a transfer portion during image forming operation, relative to a voltage applied to a brush member in a state where the first area passes through a contact portion, different from a direction of an electric field generated in a second area of the image carrier forming the contact portion, relative to the voltage applied to the brush member during a period when operation is shifted from first operation in which the image carrier is rotated at a first speed to second operation in which the image carrier is rotated at a second speed different from the first speed, during non-image forming operation different from the image forming operation. 1. An image forming apparatus performing image forming operation to form an image on a transfer-receiving member , the image forming apparatus comprising:a rotatable image carrier;a charging member configured to charge a surface of the image carrier at a charging portion where the charging member faces the image carrier;an exposure unit configured to expose the surface of the image carrier charged by the charging member, to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier;a developing member configured to develop the electrostatic latent image as a developer image by supplying a developer charged to normal polarity to the surface of the image carrier;a transfer member configured to form a transfer portion by coming into contact with the image carrier, and to transfer the developer image from the image carrier to the transfer-receiving member at the transfer portion;a brush member configured to form a contact portion on a downstream side of the transfer portion and on an upstream side of the charging portion in a rotation direction of the image carrier, and to come into contact with the image carrier at the contact portion;a voltage application unit configured to apply a voltage to the ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus in which when toner remaining on a development roller in an area from a developer nip to a regulating blade disposed upstream of a rotation direction of the development roller during a stoppage of the image forming apparatus passes through the developer nip, a bias is applied so that the toner is drawn to the development roller, and a relative speed difference between the photosensitive drum and the development roller is created so as to be larger than the that during an image forming operation. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:an image carrying member capable of forming an electrostatic latent image;a developer carrying member adapted to develop the electrostatic latent image with developer;a charge roller that adapted to charge a surface of the image carrying member;a regulating blade adapted to regulate the developer on the developer carrying member;a speed control unit adapted to control a circumferential velocity of the developer carrying member in an independent manner with respect to a circumferential velocity of the image carrying member; anda developing bias applying member adapted to apply a bias to the developer carrying member,the developer carrier member comprising an area A situated from a developer nip between the image carrying member and the developer carrying member to the regulating blade disposed upstream of the developer nip in a rotation direction of the developer carrying member;wherein, the developing bias applying member is adapted to create an electric potential relationship between the image carrying member and the developer carrying member so that the developer is drawn to the developer carrying member when the developer carried in area A on the developer carrying member during a stoppage of the image forming apparatus passes the developer nip with a rotation of the developer carrying member, and,the speed control unit is adapted to control a relative speed difference between the developer carrying ...

Image forming apparatus, abnormality diagnosis method, and image forming system

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit having a plurality of members, a control unit, and a sound collecting unit. The control unit controls operations of the plurality of members in a first operation mode in which the image forming unit forms an image on a recording material. The sound collecting unit collects a sound that arises in the image forming apparatus during the first operation mode execution to generate a sound signal. When it is determined, based on the generated sound signal, that an abnormal sound has arisen, the control unit determines a source of the abnormal sound by transitioning to a second operation mode after the first operation mode has ended and causing, in the second operation mode, one or more members, from the plurality of members, that are possible sources of the abnormal sound to operate separately from the remaining plurality of members.

Image forming apparatus, method for controlling image forming apparatus, and program for controlling image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes: a photoreceptor; a transferer; a remover that removes toner on a surface of the photoreceptor; and a hardware processor that: performs a control to form a toner image based on a print image on paper according to a first formation condition by using at least the photoreceptor and the transferer; performs a control to form a toner patch on the surface of the photoreceptor according to a second formation condition determined on the basis of the first formation condition at the time of forming the toner image on the paper by the hardware processor; and controls a voltage applied to the transferer to be a voltage at which the toner patch formed on the photoreceptor is not transferred when the toner patch formed on the surface of the photoreceptor passes through a region facing the transferer.

MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH LIMITING COIL CURRENT FLOWING THROUGH MOTOR COIL

The motor control apparatus includes: a setting unit configured to set a limit value of coil current flowing through a coil of a motor; a current supply unit configured to supply the motor with the coil current in a range not exceeding the limit value set by the setting unit; a detection unit configured to detect a current value of the coil current; and a comparison unit configured to compare an average value of the current value detected by the detection unit over a predetermined time period with a first threshold value. When the average value has exceeded the first threshold value, the setting unit updates the limit value in a decreasing manner. 1. A motor control apparatus comprising:a setting unit configured to set a limit value of coil current flowing through a coil of a motor;a current supply unit configured to supply the motor with the coil current in a range not exceeding the limit value set by the setting unit;a detection unit configured to detect a current value of the coil current; anda comparison unit configured to compare an average value of the current value detected by the detection unit over a predetermined time period with a first threshold value, wherein,when the average value has exceeded the first threshold value, the setting unit updates the limit value in a decreasing manner.2. The motor control apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe current supply unit supplies the motor with the coil current for rotating a rotor of the motor at a predetermined target speed, andan initial value of the limit value set by the setting unit is larger than a value of the coil current required to rotate the rotor at the predetermined target speed relative to load variation of the motor.3. The motor control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein claim 1 , when the average value has exceeded the first threshold value claim 1 , the setting unit updates the limit value in a decreasing manner by a first predetermined value.4. The motor control apparatus according ...

Image forming apparatus, paper conveyance method, and non-transitory computer readable medium

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes: a registration roller; a motor configured to drive the roller; and a controller configured to control the motor. The roller is disposed at a first position on a conveyance path of paper on which an image is to be formed, and sends out the paper toward a second position on the conveyance path. The second position is downstream from the first position on the conveyance path and is an image transfer position on the paper. The controller controls the motor by using both speed control and position control when the leading end of the paper is at a position from the first position to the second position, and controls the motor by using only the speed control when the leading end of the paper reaches the second position.

MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS FOR SENSORLESS MOTOR, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A motor control apparatus includes: a supply unit configured to supply a current for excitation to a plurality of coils of a motor; a first detection unit configured to detect a physical quantity which varies depending on a change in inductance of at least one of the plurality of coils; a determination unit configured to determine a rotational position of a rotor of the motor based on the physical quantity detected by the first detection unit; and a control unit configured to control the rotational position of the rotor of the motor based on a determination result by the determination unit. 1. A motor control apparatus comprising:a supply unit configured to supply a current for excitation to a plurality of coils of a motor;a first detection unit configured to detect a physical quantity which varies depending on a change in inductance of at least one of the plurality of coils;a determination unit configured to determine a rotational position of a rotor of the motor based on the physical quantity detected by the first detection unit; anda control unit configured to control the rotational position of the rotor of the motor based on a determination result by the determination unit.2. The motor control apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:a second detection unit configured to detect an induced voltage of each of the plurality of coils, whereinthe determination unit is further configured to determine the rotational position of the rotor based on the physical quantity detected by the first detection unit when the rotor is at rest and when a rotational speed of the rotor is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value, and determine the rotational position of the rotor based on the induced voltage detected by the second detection unit when the rotational speed of the rotor is greater than the predetermined value.3. The motor control apparatus according to claim 2 , whereinthe determination unit is further configured to determine the rotational speed of the ...

PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM

A processing apparatus processing on a sheet includes a punch unit configured to punch a sheet at a punching position while rotating, a first motor configured to drive the punch unit, a first rotary member disposed upstream of the punch unit in a conveyance direction of the sheet and configured to convey the sheet, a second motor configured to drive the first rotary member, a control unit configured to control driving of the first motor and the second motor, and a first detection unit configured to detect a surface speed of the first rotary member. The control unit is configured to adjust a rotation speed of the second motor so that a surface speed of the first rotary member obtained based on a detection result of the first detection unit substantially matches a tangential component of a rotation speed of the punch unit at the punching position. 1. A processing apparatus processing on a sheet , comprising:a punch unit configured to punch a sheet being conveyed at a punching position while rotating;a first motor configured to drive the punch unit;a first rotary member disposed upstream of the punch unit in a conveyance direction of the sheet and configured to convey the sheet;a second motor configured to drive the first rotary member;a control unit configured to control driving of the first motor and the second motor; anda first detection unit configured to detect a surface speed of the first rotary member,wherein the control unit is configured to adjust a rotation speed of the second motor so that a surface speed of the first rotary member obtained based on a detection result of the first detection unit substantially matches a tangential component of a rotation speed of the punch unit at the punching position.2. The processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:a second detection unit configured to detect presence or absence of the sheet,wherein the control unit is configured to adjust a rotation speed of the second motor before the second detection ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING COUPLING MEMBER SELECTIVELY COUPLED TO PHOTOSENSITIVE DRUM

In an image forming apparatus, a process frame is movable into and out of a main casing in a first direction. The process frame includes a first wall and a second wall spaced apart from the first wall in a second direction. A first cartridge is detachably mountable to the process frame in a third direction crossing the second direction. A first electrode protrudes from an outer surface of the first cartridge outwardly in the second direction. In a state where the first cartridge is mounted to the process frame, the first cartridge is positioned between the first wall and second wall of the process frame in the second direction and a portion of the first wall aligns with the first electrode in the third direction such that the portion of the first wall is overlapped with the first electrode as viewed in the third direction. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a main body; a first wall; and', 'a second wall spaced apart from the first wall in a first direction, the first wall having a first surface and the second wall having a second surface, the first surface of the first wall facing the second surface of the second wall in the first direction;, 'a process frame movable into and out of the main body, the process frame including a first developing roller rotatable about a first axis extending in the first direction;', 'a first developer frame accommodating toner therein;', 'a first side wall positioned at one end of the first developer frame in the first direction;', 'a second side wall positioned at another end of the first developer frame in the first direction; and', 'a first electrode positioned at the first side wall, the first electrode being configured to supply power to the first cartridge,, 'a first cartridge detachably mountable to the process frame, the first cartridge including the first side wall of the first cartridge faces the first surface of the first wall of the process frame in the first direction and the second side wall of the first cartridge ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD

Downtime relating to formation and detection of a detection image is reduced. An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to calculate a first conversion unit to convert a gradation of input image data so that density output for the input image data becomes a first density output characteristic based on a first detection result of the detection image detected by a density sensor in a first mode. The controller generates a second conversion unit to convert the gradation of the input image data so that the density output for the input image data becomes a second density output characteristic in a second mode based on the detection result in the first mode and correction information, and further updates the correction information based on a second detection result of the detection image detected by the density sensor in the second mode and the first detection result. 125.-. (canceled)26. An image forming apparatus , comprising:a photosensitive drum;a developing roller configured to develop an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum with toner to form a toner image;a belt onto which the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is to be transferred or on which a recording material, onto which the toner image is to be transferred, is borne;a detector configured to emit light to a detection image formed on the belt and receive reflected light from the detection image; anda controller configured to perform a first detection image actual measurement for obtaining a first characteristic indicating a relationship between input image data in a first mode and a density corresponding to the input image data based on a detection result of the reflected light by the detector in the first mode, in which a circumferential speed difference of a circumferential speed of the developing roller with respect to a circumferential speed of the photosensitive drum is a first circumferential speed difference,wherein the detector is configured to emit light to ...

Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable image bearing member, a charging member, a rotatable developer carrying member, a developing voltage applying portion, a detecting portion for detecting a first current value and a second current value of currents flowing between the image bearing member and the developer carrying member, and a controller for controlling the applying portion. When a difference between the first current value and the second current value which are detected by the detecting portion exceeds a threshold in a state in which the image bearing member and the developer carrying member are rotated and the developing voltage is applied to the developer carrying member, the controller controls the AC voltage of the developing voltage applied to the developer carrying member.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND FEEDING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes a housing unit that includes an intermediate plate, a lift-up unit, a first detection unit, a second detection unit, a feeding unit, a control unit, a first acquisition unit that acquires a first driving amount, a storage unit that stores a threshold, a determination unit that determines that a recording material is overloaded on the intermediate plate when the first driving amount is smaller than the threshold, a second acquisition unit that acquires a second driving amount, a correction unit that obtains a differential amount by subtracting a predetermined driving amount from the second driving amount acquired by the second acquisition unit, and corrects, on a basis of the differential amount, the threshold stored in the storage unit or the first driving amount acquired by the first acquisition unit. 1. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material , comprising:a housing unit that includes an intermediate plate on which the recording material is loaded and is attachable to or detachable from the image forming apparatus;a lift-up unit that lifts up the intermediate plate along a vertical direction with driving force supplied from a driving source;a first detection unit that detects that the recording material loaded on the intermediate plate which is lifted up by the lift-up unit has reached a feeding position;a second detection unit that detects presence of the recording material on the intermediate plate;a feeding unit that feeds the recording material which has reached the feeding position;a control unit that, when the housing unit is attached to the image forming apparatus, executes first lift-up control through which the intermediate plate is lifted up by the lift-up unit until the first detection unit detects that the recording material has reached the feeding position, and after the first lift-up control, executes second lift-up control through which when the first detection unit does not detect ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes a stacking unit, a pickup roller, a motor having a winding, a rotor, and a phase, an image forming unit, an operation unit, and a receiving unit. The motor drives the pickup roller to feed a recording medium stacked on the stacking unit. The image forming unit forms an image on the fed medium. A user operates the operation unit to set an image forming condition. When, in a state where the winding is not excited, the operation unit is operated before the receiving unit receives an instruction to start forming the image, an initial operation is executed in a rotor stop state that supplies current to the winding and determines the motor phase based on the current flowing through the winding. When the instruction is received after the initial operation, the winding receives current such that the rotor rotates based on the determined phase. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a stacking unit on which a recording medium is to be stacked;a pickup roller configured to feed the recording medium stacked on the stacking unit;a motor configured to drive the pickup roller;an image forming unit configured to form an image on the recording medium fed by the pickup roller;an operation unit configured to be used by a user to set a condition of the image forming performed by the image forming unit;a receiving unit configured to receive an instruction to start forming the image by the image forming unit; and to execute an initial operation to supply current to a winding of the motor in a stop state in which a rotor of the motor is at stop and to determine a phase of the rotor having been in the stop state based on the current flowing through the winding, in a case where the operation unit is operated before the receiving unit receives the instruction in a state where a winding of the motor is not excited; and', 'to control the current to be supplied to the winding such that the rotor having been in the stop state rotates based on the phase ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME

An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the image forming apparatus are provided. An image forming apparatus may determine the operation start time point of a photoconductor based on ready times of the photoconductor and devices used in image forming processes so as to minimize idling of the photoconductor. 1. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising:a storage to store a ready time of at least one device used in an image forming process;a control unit to determine an operation start time point of a photoconductor driving unit based on the ready time of the at least one device stored in the storage and a ready time of the photoconductor driving unit predicted to be necessary to enter a constant-speed rotation state; andan image forming unit to form an image by operating the photoconductor driving unit at the determined operation start time point.2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:the at least one device is a data conversion unit which converts image data into exposure data available to a light scanning unit, and the ready time of the at least one device is a ready time of the data conversion unit, andthe control unit determines the operation start time point of the photoconductor driving unit by inversely calculating a ready time necessary to prepare forming of an electrostatic latent image after the photoconductor driving unit enters a constant-speed rotation state, and the ready time of the photoconductor driving unit, from the ready time of the data conversion unit predicted to be necessary to complete conversion of the image data.3. The image forming apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the ready time of the data conversion unit is predicted based on a paper size claim 2 , an image type claim 2 , and an image quality level.4. The image forming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:the at least one device is a fusing unit and the ready time of the at least one device is a ready time of the fusing unit, andthe control unit ...

Image forming apparatus

Provided is an image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, a developing device, a bias applying portion, a driving portion, a transfer device, and a controller. In a case where the length of the recording material is a second length larger than a first length, the controller controls the speed ratio of the driving speed of the developer bearing member to the image bearing member to be a second speed ratio larger than a first speed ratio and controls the residual developer amount born per unit area of the developer bearing member after the developing of the electrostatic image becomes a second developer amount larger than a first developer amount.

TRANSFER DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME

A transfer device includes an image bearer, a rotatable body, a solid lubricant assembly, and a guide. An image bearer bears an image. The rotatable body forms a transfer nip with the image bearer to rotate in contact with a recording medium. An image on the image bearer is transferred onto the recording medium at the transfer nip. The solid lubricant assembly includes a solid lubricant and extends in a longitudinal direction of the rotatable body. The solid lubricant assembly applies a solid lubricant to at least one of the rotatable body and the image bearer. The guide guides the recording medium and positions the solid lubricant assembly. 1. A transfer device comprising:an image bearer to bear an image;a rotatable body that forms a transfer nip with the image bearer to rotate in contact with a recording medium, the transfer nip where the image on the image bearer is transferred onto the recording medium;a solid lubricant assembly including a solid lubricant and extending in a longitudinal direction of the rotatable body, the solid lubricant assembly to apply the solid lubricant to at least one of the rotatable body and the image bearer; anda guide to guide the recording medium and position the solid lubricant assembly.2. The transfer device according to claim 1 ,wherein the guide includes a positioning portion to position the solid lubricant assembly in a thickness direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant assembly.3. The transfer device according to claim 2 ,wherein the positioning portion of the guide is disposed outside a conveyance area of the recording medium in the longitudinal direction of the solid lubricant assembly.4. The transfer device according to claim 2 ,wherein the positioning portion has a convex shape, and a thickness of the positioning portion is larger than a maximum bend occurring when the guide guides the recording medium being conveyed.5. The transfer device according to claim 1 ,wherein the guide includes a ...

Image forming apparatus capable of forming toner image with desired amount of toner, control method for the image forming apparatus, and storage medium

An image forming apparatus that is capable of properly grasping a load that is imposed on the image forming apparatus by performing high-chroma printing. The image forming apparatus includes a printer engine that causes a heating rotary body to support and convey a sheet with a toner image formed thereon and performs an image formation on the sheet. The printer engine is controlled to perform the image formation on sheets in a first mode in which a toner image based on a piece of image data is formed with a first amount of toner, or a second mode in which a toner image based on the piece of image data is formed with a second amount of toner larger than the first amount of toner. A count function for counting the number of times of the image formation performed in the second mode, rather than the first mode, is performed.

Image forming apparatus that detects phase of photosensitive drum

An image forming apparatus which reduces a time period required to detect a phase of a photosensitive drum without an increase in costs. The apparatus performs exposure control according to a phase of rotation of the drum. A reference position serving as a reference for rotation of the drum is detected when the drum is rotating at a predetermined speed. After the speed of the drum is reduced from the predetermined speed, a first time period is measured which has elapsed from detection of the reference position to stoppage of rotation of the drum. After rotation of the drum is started again, a third time period is measured which has elapsed from reaching of the predetermined speed to detection of the reference position. The phase of the photosensitive drum for performing the control is determined based on the first time period and the third time period.

AUTOMATIC DOCUMENT FEEDER, IMAGE READING DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM

An automatic document feeder comprises: a first conveyance portion through which documents from a bundle of documents placed on a paper feeding tray are separated from one another and conveyed to a reading position; a second conveyance portion through which a document having been conveyed to the reading position is ejected onto a paper ejection tray; a detector that detects any one mode from a productivity mode and a silent mode; and a controller that controls, when the detector has detected the productivity mode, the first conveyance portion so as to bring a conveyance speed in the first conveyance portion to a first conveyance speed, and, when the detector has detected the silent mode, controls the first conveyance portion so as to bring a conveyance speed in the first conveyance portion to a second conveyance speed that is slower than the first conveyance speed. 1. An automatic document feeder comprising:a first conveyance portion through which documents from a bundle of documents placed on a paper feeding tray are separated from one another and conveyed to a reading position;a second conveyance portion through which a document having been conveyed to the reading position is ejected onto a paper ejection tray;a detector that detects any one mode from a productivity mode and a silent mode; anda controller that controls, when the detector has detected the productivity mode, the first conveyance portion so as to bring a conveyance speed in the first conveyance portion to a first conveyance speed, and, when the detector has detected the silent mode, controls the first conveyance portion so as to bring a conveyance speed in the first conveyance portion to a second conveyance speed that is slower than the first conveyance speed.2. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1 , whereinthe controller sets the silent mode as a default mode.3. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1 , whereinthe controller is configured to, when the detector has detected ...

MOTOR CONTROL APPARATUS THAT CONTROLS MOTOR, BASED ON COMMAND VALUES OF EXCITATION CURRENT AND OF TORQUE CURRENT, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A motor control apparatus includes: a current supply unit configured to supply coil current to a plurality of coils of a motor by controlling, based on a first command value of excitation current and a second command value of torque current, voltage to be applied to the plurality of coils; a first setting unit configured to set the first command value; a second setting unit configured to set the second command value; and a control unit configured to use first control in starting of rotation of a rotor of the motor, and switch control to second control after rotation speed of the rotor becomes greater than predetermined speed. The first setting unit is further configured to set a value greater than 0 as the first command value before the control unit switches control from the first control to the second control. 1. A motor control apparatus comprising:a current supply unit configured to supply coil current to a plurality of coils of a motor by controlling, based on a first command value of excitation current and a second command value of torque current, voltage to be applied to the plurality of coils;a first setting unit configured to set the first command value;a second setting unit configured to set the second command value; anda control unit configured to use first control in starting of rotation of a rotor of the motor, and switch control to second control after rotation speed of the rotor becomes greater than predetermined speed, whereinthe first setting unit is further configured to set a value greater than 0 as the first command value before the control unit switches control from the first control to the second control.2. The motor control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first setting unit is further configured to set a value greater than 0 as the first command value before the control unit starts the first control.3. The motor control apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first setting unit is further configured to set 0 as the first ...

MOTOR CONTROL DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

A pulse generation unit is configured to output pulse signals for driving the stepping motor. A control unit is configured to perform acceleration control or deceleration control of the stepping motor via the pulse generation unit. The control unit is configured to calculate a number of the pulse signals to be output from the pulse generation unit to the stepping motor when accelerating or decelerating the stepping motor at constant acceleration in the acceleration control or the deceleration control based on an initial speed of the stepping motor when the acceleration control or the deceleration control starts, a target rotation speed, and time from start control of the stepping motor to time when the stepping motor reaches the target rotation speed, and change a rotation speed of the stepping motor in the acceleration control or the deceleration control along a sinusoidal waveform. 1. A motor control device comprising:a pulse generation unit connected to a stepping motor and configured to output pulse signals for driving the stepping motor; anda controller configured to control the pulse generation unit to perform acceleration control or deceleration control of the stepping motor,wherein the controller calculates a number of the pulse signals to be output from the pulse generation unit to the stepping motor when accelerating or decelerating the stepping motor at constant acceleration in the acceleration control or the deceleration control based on an initial speed of the stepping motor when the acceleration control or the deceleration control starts, a target rotation speed, and time from start of the acceleration control or the deceleration control of the stepping motor to time when the stepping motor reaches the target rotation speed, andwherein the controller changes a rotation speed of the stepping motor in the acceleration control or the deceleration control along a sinusoidal waveform.2. The motor control device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller ...

Image forming apparatus and method of controlling motor

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to perform a printing operation by using a plurality of photosensitive media, a plurality of motors configured to drive the plurality of photosensitive media, and a motor controller configured to control a phase and a velocity of the other motor based on a periodic velocity of one motor from among the plurality of motors.

IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM

An image forming system includes a first device and a second device that are connected in series. The first device can continuously discharge a paper. The second device is blocked from information on a paper conveyance in the first device. The second device, based on printing setting information and a time at which the first paper passes the predetermined position, sets a printing cycle, and based on a time at which the second paper passes the predetermined position, calculates a delay time from a printing cycle of the second paper. The second device stops a conveyance of the second paper that is conveyed to the paper processor, and in accordance with the delay time, controls resuming of the stopped conveyance of the second paper. 1. An image forming system comprising a first device that can continuously discharge a paper and a second device that is located at a downstream side in a paper conveyance direction relative to the first device and is blocked from information on a paper conveyance in the first device , wherein a paper introducer that introduces a plurality of papers including a first paper that is discharged from the first device and a second paper that follows the first paper;', 'a hardware processor that acquires, from the first device, information on a printing setting of the paper;', 'a paper processor that performs a predetermined process on the paper;', 'a paper conveyer that includes a paper conveying path and conveys the paper, along the paper conveying path, from the paper introducer to the paper processor;', 'a paper detector that is located at a predetermined position on the paper conveying path that extends from the paper introducer to the paper processor and detects the paper that passes the predetermined position;', 'a print cycle calculator that, based on information on a printing setting of the first paper and a time at which the first paper passes the predetermined position, sets a printing cycle that serve as a reference of a timing for ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS THAT SELECTS REFERENCE SIDE FOR PRINT POSITION ADJUSTING AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus that corrects a print position of an image using an optimum reference side of a sheet when performing print position adjustment. Image data is converted based on conversion conditions. An image on a sheet is formed based on the converted image data. On the sheet, the image forming unit forms a test image for detecting a misalignment of a position of an image to be formed on a first surface of the sheet and a position of an image to be formed on a second surface, which is different from the first surface, of the sheet. Read data is acquired which is read from the test image and output from a reading device, and the conversion conditions are generated based on the read data and a selected reference position of the sheet. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:a conversion unit configured to convert image data based on conversion conditions;an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet based on the image data converted by the conversion unit;a selection unit configured to select a reference position of the sheet; anda controller configured to control the image forming unit to form a test image on the sheet, acquire read data related to the test image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit, and generate the conversion conditions based on the read data and the reference position selected by the selection unit,wherein the test image is used for detecting a misalignment of a position of an image to be formed on a first surface of the sheet by the image forming unit and a position of an image to be formed on a second surface, which is different from the first surface, of the sheet by the image forming unit, andwherein the read data is output from a reading device.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a post-processing unit configured to perform post-processing on the sheet having the image formed thereon by the image forming unit claim 1 , based on post-processing information claim 1 , ...

Image forming apparatus that prevents image defect caused by off-centering of rotating shaft of photosensitive drum

An image forming apparatus that is capable of forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of a photosensitive member with high position accuracy even when the shaft of the photosensitive member is off-centered. In the apparatus, exposure devices form electrostatic latent images on respective photosensitive drums, and developing devices develop the electrostatic latent images. An intermediate transfer belt rotates in contact with the photosensitive drums. A rotary encoder detects a rotational speed of a drum shaft of each photosensitive drum. An amount of off-centering of the drum shaft is detected, and a correction coefficient for correcting positional displacement of electrostatic latent images is calculated. A control unit corrects timing of exposure using the calculated correction coefficient, and controls the exposure device to form the image on the photosensitive drum based on the corrected timing of exposure.

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer portion configured to transfer an image borne on the image bearing member to a sheet, a current detection portion configured to detect a current flowing through the transfer portion, a conveyance portion configured to convey the sheet to the transfer portion, a driving portion configured to drive the conveyance portion, and a controller configured to acquire an arrival timing at which a leading edge of a preceding sheet has arrived at the transfer portion based on a detection result of the current detection portion, and control the driving portion in response to the arrival timing in a state where a succeeding sheet that follows the preceding sheet is conveyed by the conveyance portion. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:an image bearing member;a transfer portion configured to transfer an image borne on the image bearing member to a sheet;a current detection portion configured to detect a current flowing through the transfer portion;a conveyance portion configured to convey the sheet to the transfer portion;a driving portion configured to drive the conveyance portion; anda controller configured to acquire an arrival timing at which a leading edge of a preceding sheet has arrived at the transfer portion based on a detection result of the current detection portion, and control the driving portion in response to the arrival timing in a state where a succeeding sheet that follows the preceding sheet is conveyed by the conveyance portion.2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the conveyance portion is a roller pair comprising a nip against which a leading edge of a sheet abuts claim 1 , the conveyance portion configured to convey the sheet at a matched timing with a transfer of image by the transfer portion claim 1 , andthe controller is configured to control the driving portion so that a feed start timing of the succeeding sheet by the roller pair is changed in response ...

DEVELOPING CARTRIDGE, DEVELOPING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME

A developing cartridge is disposed in an image forming apparatus. The developing cartridge includes a developing portion; a toner storing portion; a partition wall positioned between the developing portion and the toner storing portion and provided with a toner supply section; a first agitating member inside the developing portion; and a second agitating member inside the toner storing portion, wherein at least one of the first agitating member and the second agitating member comprises an elastic member to be in contact with the partition wall. 1. A developing cartridge that is couplable to an image forming apparatus , the developing cartridge comprising:a developing portion;a toner storing portion to store toner;a partition wall formed between the developing portion and the toner storing portion, to block the toner in the toner storing portion from moving to the developing portion, the partition wall having a toner supply section through which the toner in the toner storing portion is supplied to the developing portion;a first agitating member rotatably disposed in the developing portion; and 'wherein at least one of the first agitating member or the second agitating member includes an elastic member to be in contact with the partition wall formed to block the toner.', 'a second agitating member rotatably disposed in the toner storing portion,'}2. The developing cartridge of claim 1 , wherein claim 1 ,when the second agitating member including the elastic member rotates, the elastic member of the second agitating member is to be intermittently in contact with the partition wall and is not in contact with an inner surface of the toner storing portion.3. The developing cartridge of claim 2 , whereinthe second agitating member includes a rotation member, and 'wherein the elastic film is to be in contact with an upper surface of the partition wall and moves toner toward the toner supply section by an elastic restoring force generated when the elastic film is separated ...

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form an image on a recording material; a fixing portion including a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member rotatable by rotation of the first rotatable member in contact with the first rotatable member and configured to fix the image on the recording material by heating the image while nipping and feeding the recording material on which the image is formed, at a nip formed between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member; a motor configured to drive the first rotatable member; a torque detecting portion configured to detect a driving torque of the motor; and a controller. On the basis of the driving torque detected by the torque detecting means, the controller controls a degree of temperature rise of the first rotatable member immediately before the recording material enters the nip. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:an image forming portion configured to form an image on a recording material;a fixing portion including a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member rotatable by rotation of said first rotatable member in contact with said first rotatable member and configured to fix the image on the recording material by heating the image while nipping and feeding the recording material on which the image is formed, at a nip formed between said first rotatable member and said second rotatable member;a motor configured to drive said first rotatable member;torque detecting means configured to detect a driving torque of said motor; andcontrol means,wherein on the basis of the driving torque detected by said torque detecting means, said control means controls a degree of temperature rise of said first rotatable member immediately before the recording material enters the nip.2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said controller controls the degree of temperature rise of said first rotatable member by setting a rotation time ...