The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 10, 2012
Filed:
Dec. 15, 2008
Norio Tomita, Nara, JP;
Hiroshi Tachiki, Nara, JP;
Takahiko Yoshida, Nara, JP;
Yoshikazu Harada, Nara, JP;
Yoshiteru Kikuchi, Nara, JP;
Kenichi Isomi, Nara, JP;
Norio Tomita, Nara, JP;
Hiroshi Tachiki, Nara, JP;
Takahiko Yoshida, Nara, JP;
Yoshikazu Harada, Nara, JP;
Yoshiteru Kikuchi, Nara, JP;
Kenichi Isomi, Nara, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
In an embodiment of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt that primarily transfers a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum; a secondary transfer unit including a transfer mechanism portion that secondarily transfers the primarily transferred toner image to a paper; an optical sensor that detects a reference toner image on the transfer belt; and a shutter that protects a detection face of the optical sensor, wherein a separation/contact mechanism portion disposed so as to be brought into contact with both of the shutter and the secondary transfer unit is provided, and the separation/contact mechanism portion allows the shutter to move so as to open and allows the secondary transfer unit to move so as to separate from the transfer belt when the reference toner image is detected by the optical sensor, and allows the shutter to move so as to separate from the transfer belt when the secondary transfer unit is drawn out from an apparatus main body.