摘要:
A waste toner removal device for transporting toner from a photoconductive drum within an image-forming apparatus. The invention includes a waste toner reservoir having outer walls forming an interior chamber for housing toner removed from the photoconductive drum. An opening is positioned within the outer walls into the interior chamber forming an upper chamber section extending above the opening and a lower chamber section extending below the opening. An auger extends along the photoconductive drum and unobstructed into the opening of the waste toner reservoir. The auger includes helical blades extending outward for moving the toner from the photoconductive drum into the waste toner reservoir. A pumping cylinder having a generally cylindrical shape extends around the auger adjacent to the waste toner reservoir. The diameter of the pumping cylinder is approximately equal to the helical blades wherein rotation of the auger creates a pumping action for moving toner into the said upper and lower chamber sections.
摘要:
An image forming apparatus having an image forming body with an opening along at least one side. Guide rails are mounted to the image forming body above the opening, and a pair of support members are positioned within the image forming body below the guide rails. The apparatus further includes a cartridge having support arms extending outward for contacting the guide rails during insertion and removal from the image forming body. The cartridge also includes a photoconductive drum positioned on a lower portion of the cartridge, and when inserted into the image forming body, the cartridge is supported by resting the photoconductive drum on the support members.
摘要:
A device within an image forming apparatus for positioning a doctor blade against a developer roller and preventing toner leakage. The device includes a developer housing for containing the developer roller and the doctor blade. A biasing member is positioned adjacent to the doctor blade for forcing the doctor blade against the developer roller for controlling the mass flow and charge level of the toner. The doctor blade is supported by retention stops on a front edge and a pair of supports on the back edge. Toner is prevented from leaking through the device by a flap seal positioned along the doctor blade back side and a seal positioned between each end of doctor blade end and developer housing. The invention provides for the doctor blade to be freely positioned between the retention stops, developer housing, and seals providing for the doctor blade to contact the developer roller in a consistent manner.
摘要:
The present application is directed to methods and devices for determining the absence of media sheets within an image forming device. In one embodiment, a support section configured to hold a stack of media sheets is positioned in an input area of the image forming device. A pick mechanism is positioned to contact a top-most sheet in the support section. The pick mechanism may include a pick motor and a pick roller. A sensor roller may be positioned to contact the top-most media sheet at a position spaced away from the pick roller. A controller may determine the absence of a media sheet based on the movement of the sensor roller after a predetermined movement of the pick motor.
摘要:
A developer reference system for a contact development process having machine frame mounted support rollers for the developer roll. Skew between the PC drum and the developer roll is reduced by referencing each to the same support structure. Rolling resistance of the developer roll support rollers is reduced by using thin diameter metal pins for mounting the support rollers.
摘要:
The present application is directed to image forming devices with option trays to introduce media into a media path. One embodiment include the image forming device having a body with a front, back, top, and bottom sides. The sides may form an interior space to contain an imaging unit. The imaging unit may include elements for producing toner images. A media path may extend in a substantially vertical orientation within the interior space. An integrated tray may be positioned at the bottom side of the body and include a first input tray and a manual feed inlet on the front side of the body. Each of first input tray and manual feed inlet form sections of the media path. An option tray may be operatively connected to the bottom side of the body, and may include a second input tray and a multi-purpose feeder. The option tray further lengthens the media path and provides additional avenues to introduce media sheets into the media path.
摘要:
A system and method reduces wear on an image-forming device. The image-forming device includes one or more toner cartridges, each having an associated PC drum and transport member to transport toner images or media. Each of the PC drums maintain contact with a surface of the transport member regardless of whether they are being used to form a toner image. A controller controls the rotation of the PC drums to rotate or not rotate while in contact with the surface of the transport member.
摘要:
Multi-functional image forming devices that may include a base color laser printer comprising a front side, a back side, a top, and a bottom. The color laser printer may further include a media path, a laser printhead, and a plurality of image forming units. A scanning mechanism comprising a scan bed may be mounted on the top of the base color laser printer. In one embodiment, the media path includes a first section positioned within the base color laser printer and a second section that extends between the scanning mechanism and the top of the base color laser printer. In one embodiment, the scanning mechanism is pivotally mounted to the base color laser printer and movable to access the second section of the media path.
摘要:
The present application is directed to second transfer areas and methods of transfer toner images from an intermediate member to a media sheet. The second transfer area comprises a second transfer nip formed between a second transfer roller and a back-up roller. The media path moves through this nip with the toner images on the intermediate member being transferred to the media sheets. The amount of force applied by the second transfer roller affects the transferability of the toner images to the media sheet. Further, the intermediate member may contact the second transfer roller at soft nip and hard nip locations. The lengths of these nips may also affect the transferability of the toner images.
摘要:
The present application is directed to methods and devices for determining a media level in an input area within an image forming device. In one embodiment, a support section configured to hold a stack of media sheets is positioned in the image forming device. A pick mechanism is positioned to contact a top-most media sheet of the stack of media sheets in the support section. The pick mechanism may include a pick motor and a pick roller. A sensor roller may be positioned separate from the pick roller and in contact with the top-most media sheet. A controller may determine the media level based on a movement of the sensor roller after the top-most media sheet has moved to a predetermined location.