Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha

Yukio Tokura

Shunji Yamamoto

Kenji Shibazaki

Tomoji Murata

Yutaka Irie

Masamichi Hayashi

Hiromitsu Saijo

Yasuhiko Doi

Koji Imaizumi

Shigemitsu Shimizu

Masami Nakane

Shigemitu Shimizu

Yoshio Mikasa

Hideji Hayashi

A detachable imaging unit is provided in an image forming device. The detachable unit includes an image bearing member, one of a pair of registration rollers and a developing device. A relative position between the image bearing member and the one of the pair of registration rollers is provided so as to permit precise transport of a recording sheet against the image bearing member.

Drive transmission system for a process cartridge used in an image

The invention is concerned with an apparatus for positioning optical elements of a lens for projecting an image of an original and a mirror for directing the image of the original from the lens toward a photosensitive medium. And the lens and mirror cooperate with movable optical members for scanning the original. The position of the optical elements are changed continuously or steplessly to a position corresponding to the newly selected magnification. For changing the magnification continuously, the lens in supported continuously shiftably along an optical path, and the mirror is supported continuously shiftably along the optical path from the lens and pivotally movable relative to the optical path. The lens and mirror are driven by a force of a single drive source via drive force transmitting mechanism.

Optical element positioning apparatus for use in electrophotographic

An electrophotographic copying apparatus incorporating therein an improved developing material supplying device which supplying device includes a copy paper detecting unit for detecting the length of the copy paper, an integrating circuit for integrating the length of the copy paper detected by the detecting unit and a supply tank driving unit which operates the supply tank to supply a concentrated developing material into the developing tank through a valve, upon receipt of a signal from the integrating circuit, by which arrangement, the concentrated developing material can be supplied to the developing tank every time after a predetermined length of the copy paper is fed through the developing tank.

Toner dispensing device with electrical integrating circuit

A transfer material or copy paper separating device for use in an electrophotographic copying apparatus which includes a driving mechanism for the transfer material, separating claws adapted to pivotally contact or be spaced away from a photoreceptor surface in timed relation to the movement of the copy paper. Each of the separating claws is formed from a flexible elastic film of polyester or the like and has very short fibers, for example, of nylon, on at least front edge portion thereof, contacting the photoreceptor surface for reducing damage to the photoreceptor surface.

Transfer material separating device

In an electric safety switch circuit for use in apparatus having at least one safety switch for detecting at least one abnormal condition of the apparatus, switching elements are connected between a power source and the apparatus. The voltage of the main power source is transformed to a lower voltage and the switching elements are opened or closed by control circuitry in the low voltage circuit. The at least one safety switch is connected to the voltage transformer and the control circuitry such that the actuation of the at least one safety switch upon detection thereof of an abnormal condition actuates the control circuitry to open the switching elements and disconnect the apparatus from the power source. In one embodiment a primary switch is interconnected between the power source and the electric safety switch circuit, and in a modified embodiment the primary switch is connected in the electric safety switch circuit itself. The reduction in the voltage and current in which the primary switch and/or the at least one safety switch are interconnected results in improved reliability, durability, and operating life of the electric circuit as well as providing commensurate decreases in the cost of the electric circuit.

Electric safety switch circuitry

A control mechanism for use in a photoelectrostatic copying machine utilizing a roll of recording medium as a source of material on which an image of the original to be copied is reproduced, which control mechanism controls the sequence of operation of various operating elements of the copying machine. The control mechanism for this purpose utilizes a rotatable cam assembly which, during rotation thereof through first and second predetermined angles, actuates first and second microswitches, respectively, which are electrically coupled to the feeder mechanism, illumination device and electrostatic charger and the drive unit for moving a transparent support structure for support of the original to be copied thereon. A third microswitch electrically coupled to the cutter unit may be actuated by either the cam assemby or an operating member adjustably carried by either of the transparent support structure and illumination device.

Growing community of inventors

Toyohashi, Japan

Yukio Tokura