Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.

Shuji Fujisawa

Susumu Komaki

Eiichi Tone

Takao Besshi

Takeshi Tsuda

Haruo Yamamoto

Takao Ichihashi

Masami Taniguchi

Hideki Takeda

Shingo Sakato

Yousuke Ohata

Hiroshi Hiraoka

Shingo Sakao

The invention relates to a power transmission mechanism included in the optical system of an image forming apparatus. A power transmission mechanism according to a first mode composes a link mechanism for interlocking the moving member for adjusting the optical path length, in response to the displacement of a lens unit, when changing the magnification factor of the original image. This link mechanism comprises an output unit integrally composed on the lens unit, and a cam member for converting the moving extent of the lens unit by a lever ratio of two cams and transmitting to the moving member. On the other hand, a power transmission mechanism according to a second mode of the invention includes torque transmission mechanism for transmitting a torque alternatively to a scanning mechanism and a magnification varying mechanism. The torque transmission mechanism includes elastic linings to be pressed alternatively to the input members of the scanning mechanism and magnification varying mechanism.

Power transmission mechanism optimum for optical system of image forming

The present invention relates to a corona discharger displacing mechanism and a grid electrode positioning mechanism which are used for a unit of an image forming section in an image forming apparatus. The displacing mechanism causes a corona discharger to advance or retreat in synchronism with the inserting or extracting operation of the unit. On the other hand, the positioning mechanism stretches a grid electrode in co-operation with the unit.

Corona discharger displacing mechanism and grid electrode positioning

In a clamshell-type image forming apparatus in which the upper unit is rotatably openably connected to the lower unit and in which the upper unit is biased in the opening direction by a biasing member, a hook is disposed at the upper unit and an engagement member is disposed at the lower unit for preventing the upper unit from being opened when the engagement member is engaged with the hook. The engagement of a lock member with the hook in association with the closing operation of a front cover, prevents the hook from being rotated. The disengagement of the lock member from the hook in association with the opening operation of the front cover, allows the hook to be rotated.

Clamshell-type image forming apparatus having engaging hook and sliding

A mechanism for opening/closing a toner falling aperture is adapted to open/close a toner falling aperture formed in the bottom of a toner cartridge main body in which toner is housed. Disposed inside of the toner cartridge main body is a screw conveyor for conveying the toner to the toner falling aperture. While the toner cartridge is not under use, an elastic sealing member attached to the top surface of the bottom of the toner cartridge main body, closes the toner falling aperture. One end of the sealing member is secured to the screw conveyor. When the toner cartridge is set to a predetermined portion of the main body of an image forming apparatus and the screw conveyor is driven, the screw conveyor takes up the sealing member while winding the same thereon, thus opening the toner falling aperture. The sealing member to which toner is sticked, is taken up by the screw conveyor and held inside of the toner cartridge main body.

Mechanism for opening/closing a toner falling aperture

A developer supply system wherein a spiral and the like provided at a supply opening positioned above a developing unit is rotated in response to a signal from a developer sensor disposed in a place corresponding to a determined position on the way to the supply side from the center of said supply opening on the side of the developing unit so as to transport a developer contained within a developer supply tank from the supply side of said supply opening to the terminal side until the developer falls into the developer unit.

Developer supply system

A multicolor image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing units respectively containing different color developers; comprising a newly selected developing unit switching timing controller for controlling the rotation of the photoreceptor and the timing for switching of the newly selected developing unit, or a previously selected developing unit switching timing controller for controlling the rotation of the photoreceptor and the switching timing of the previously selected developing unit.

Color image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing units

A developing device includes a developing section provided with an applicator for applying a developer to a latent electrostatic image and a supporting section for supporting the developing section turnably between an operating position at which the developer held on the applicator acts on image-bearing member and a non-operating position at which the developer held on the applicator does not substantially act on the image-bearing member. According to a first aspect, positioning device acts on the developing section and holds it at the operating position. According to a second aspect, there is provided device for holding the developing section at the non-operating position at the time of mounting a main body of the developing device on an image-forming machine. According to a third aspect, when the main body of the developing device is mounted on the image-forming machine, electrical connecters provided thereon are electrically coupled to each other. According to a fourth aspect, a toner cartridge loaded detachably into the main body of the developing device, not necessarily of the above type, cannot be detached from the main body of the developing device unless its discharge opening is closed with a cover member.

Growing community of inventors

Osaka, Japan

Shuji Fujisawa