Sheet separation/conveyance device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
US8857809B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 3, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 3, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2515/70
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A sheet separation/conveyance device that is included in an image forming apparatus includes an attraction/separation unit including an endless belt on which a region of attraction and a region of no attraction that divides the region of attraction are aligned in a sheet conveying direction, the endless belt configured to hold an uppermost sheet placed on top of a sheet stack contained in an image forming apparatus by using electrostatic attraction, a charger configured to charge a surface of the endless belt, the charger including an electrode configured to contact the surface of the endless belt due to a supply of a voltage and a detector configured to detect a charged condition on the surface of the endless belt based on a detection result obtained when the electrode contacts the endless belt, and a sheet conveying unit configured to convey the uppermost sheet held by the electrostatic attraction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.