Patent · US Expired

Image forming apparatus having preset developer unit replacement positions and a locking device

US6985684B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
5References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 28, 2003
Grant dateJan 10, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 28, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG03G2215/0177
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An image forming apparatus where during the image forming operation, the completion of development by one of development cartridges is followed by the rotation of a rotary for setting the next development cartridge to a development position. The rotational speed v of the rotary is increased linearly to the maximum speed vmax and, after that, is decreased linearly to stop the rotary when the next development cartridge reaches the development position. During replacement of the development cartridge, the rotary is rotated to set the development cartridge to be replaced to the replacement position. The rotational speed of the rotary is set to be a constant speed v1 in a region other than a contact region where an input gear of the development side is in contact with a driving gear of the fixed side and a speed lower than the speed v1 in the contact region (the minimum speed v2).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.