Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect a case where a small number of sheets are stacked on a paper output unit and a case where a large number of sheets are stacked on it with a common detector piece in a sheet stacking device and an image forming apparatus with the same.SOLUTION: A sheet detection unit 7 includes: a sheet detector piece 721B which is retractable in a sheet stacking unit from an opening formed in the sheet stacking unit. The sheet detection unit 7 detects a first state in which no sheet is placed on the sheet detector piece 721B, a second state in which a first number of sheets are placed on the sheet detector piece 721B, and a third state in which a second number of sheets are placed on the sheet detector piece 721B, where the second number is greater than the first number. When a sheet is placed on the sheet detector piece 721B, an actuator 72 rotates. Also, a housing 71 is designed to be rotatable while supporting the actuator 72.
Abstract:
An image forming device includes a sheet container, an image former that forms an image on a surface of a sheet conveyed from the sheet container, and a re-conveyor that re-conveys the sheet to the image former which forms another image on an opposite surface of the sheet. The re-conveyor includes a first conveyance roller set and a second conveyance roller set that convey the sheet therebetween. The first conveyance roller set includes a first driving roller that receives a driving force and a first pinch roller that contacts the surface. The second conveyance roller set includes a second driving roller that receives the driving force and a second pinch roller that contacts the surface. The first driving roller has a greater coefficient of friction than the first pinch roller. The second pinch roller has a greater coefficient of friction than the first pinch roller.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning system for a feed roller in an image forming device medium tray without requiring operator intervention or device downtime.SOLUTION: A medium tray 28 includes a cleaning mechanism in the shape of a cleaning plate 100. The cleaning plate is drawn into a medium feeder when there is no printing medium in the medium tray. A roller of the medium feeder is rotated while being pressed against the cleaning plate, to remove dust, fragments, and other contaminants which are likely to accumulate in the medium feeder during a long time, from the roller. When the medium tray is accessed, the medium tray draws away the cleaning plate from the medium feeder.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To keep nip pressure of a conveyance roller in a good condition by suppressing deflection of an upper member.SOLUTION: A re-conveying means (re-conveying unit 100) includes: a lower conveyance guide 130 and an upper conveyance guide 140; a single side regulation member 120 for regulating the position in the width direction of a recording sheet; a pair of the conveyance rollers 55 capable of conveying the recording sheet obliquely to the single side regulation member 120; and an urging member (torsion springs 154 and 164) for urging an upper roller (pinch rollers 152 and 162) of the pair of the conveyance rollers 55 toward a lower roller (driving rollers 151 and 161). The lower conveyance guide 130 and the upper conveyance guide 140 are formed so that their width is larger than that of the recording sheet, and both ends 142 in the width direction of the upper conveyance guide 140 are held by the lower conveyance guide 130.