US5471292A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image forming apparatus capable of adjusting drive control of developer unit
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1994-06-13
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Granted: 1995-11-28
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Expires: 2014-06-13
Abstract
Abstract An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier for carrying an electrostatic image, a developer unit having a plurality of developers each for developing the electrostatic image on the image carrier, a drive circuit for driving the developer unit to stop a selected developer at a predetermined position facing the image carrier, a detection circuit for detecting the stop position of the developer, and an adjustment circuit for adjusting drive control of the developer unit by the drive circuit in accordance with a detection output from the detection circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhiko Okazawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:28
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/01; G03G15/0105; G03G15/0126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier for carrying an electrostatic image; a developer unit having a plurality of developers each for developing the electrostatic image on said image carrier; drive means for driving said developer unit to stop a selected developer at a predetermined position facing said image carrier; detection means for detecting a stop position of the developer; and adjustment means for adjusting drive control of said developer unit by said drive means in accordance with a detection output from said detection means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier for carrying an electrostatic image; a developer unit having a plurality of developers each for developing the electrostatic image on said image carrier; drive means for driving said developer unit to stop a selected developer at a predetermined position facing said image carrier; detection means for detecting a stop position of the developer; and adjustment means for adjusting drive control of said developer unit by said drive means in accordance with a detection output from said detection means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means adjusts the drive control on the basis of a position deviation amount between the stop position and the predetermined position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drive means has a motor, and said adjustment means adjusts a drive current of the motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of developers respectively store different color toners.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said developer unit is rotatable about a rotational shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier for carrying an electrostatic image; a developer unit having a plurality of detachable developers; drive means for driving said developer unit to stop a selected developer at a developing position facing said image carrier; detection means for detecting a presence/absence of the developers of said developer unit; and adjustment means for adjusting drive control of said developer unit by said drive means in accordance with a detection output from said detection means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier for carrying an electrostatic image; a developer unit having a plurality of detachable developers; drive means for driving said developer unit to stop a selected developer at a developing position facing said image carrier; detection means for detecting a presence/absence of the developers of said developer unit; and adjustment means for adjusting drive control of said developer unit by said drive means in accordance with a detection output from said detection means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said detection means detects the presence/absence of each of said plurality of developers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said detection means detects an attachment position of the developer, and said adjustment means adjusts the drive control on the basis of both presence/absence information and attachment position information of the developer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said drive means has a motor, and said adjustment means adjusts a drive current of the motor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of developers respectively store different color toners.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said developer unit is rotatable about a rotational shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier for carrying an electrostatic image; a developer unit having a plurality of developers each for developing the electrostatic image on said image carrier; drive means for driving said developer unit to stop a selected developer at a developing position facing said image carrier; detection means for detecting information associated with a weight of the developer; and adjustment means for adjusting drive control of said developer unit by said drive means in accordance with a detection output from said detection means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image carrier for carrying an electrostatic image; a developer unit having a plurality of developers each for developing the electrostatic image on said image carrier; drive means for driving said developer unit to stop a selected developer at a developing position facing said image carrier; detection means for detecting information associated with a weight of the developer; and adjustment means for adjusting drive control of said developer unit by said drive means in accordance with a detection output from said detection means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said developer stores a toner, and said detection means detects a remaining amount of the toner.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said drive means has a motor, and said adjustment means adjusts a drive current of the motor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said plurality of developers respectively store different color toners.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said developer unit is rotatable about a rotational shaft.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-11-27 | 1999-05-29 | 1999-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-27 | 2003-05-29 | 2003-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-27 | 2007-05-29 | 2007-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |