# US 12,130,574 B2 · Image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,130,574 B2 - Document ID: US12130574B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/458,648 - Filed: 2023-08-30 - Published: 2024-03-07 - Granted: 2024-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2022-09-02 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Saya Minoshima; Tomonori Watanabe; Ayaka Ohira; Tetsuya Morita - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12130574B2 ## CPC - G03G 15/751: {relating to drum (G03G15/757 takes precedence)} - G03G 15/2017: {Structural details of the fixing unit in general, e.g. cooling means, heat shielding means (G03G15/2053 takes precedence)} - G03G 15/2028: {with means for handling the copy material in the fixing nip, e.g. introduction guides, stripping means} - G03G 15/2064: {combined with pressure} - G03G 15/65: {Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material (handling sheets or webs in general B65H; for photographic purposes in general G03B)} - G03G 15/6555: {Handling of sheet copy material taking place in a specific part of the copy material feeding path} - G03G 15/6558: {Feeding path after the copy sheet preparation and up to the transfer point, e.g. registering; Deskewing; Correct timing of sheet feeding to the transfer point} - G03G 15/657: {Feeding path after the transfer point and up to the fixing point, e.g. guides and feeding means for handling copy material carrying an unfused toner image} - G03G 15/757: {Drive mechanisms for photosensitive medium, e.g. gears} - G03G 21/206: {Conducting air through the machine, e.g. for cooling, filtering, removing gases like ozone} - G03G 2215/1614: Transfer roll - G03G 2215/1638: Wires - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A chute is located between a transfer roller and a fuser in a direction crossing both a first direction along a drum axis direction and a second direction crossing the first direction. The chute causes a sheet having passed through a transfer nip to be directed toward a fixing nip. The chute is movable in the second direction between a first position and a second position shifted from the first position toward one side in the second direction. The chute located at the second position is farther away from an imaginary plane passing through the nips than the chute located at the first position. A reciprocating mechanism is located on an other side of the chute in the second direction. The reciprocating mechanism reciprocates by drive force from the drive source and presses the chute to move between the first position and the second position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a development device configured to supply toner to the photosensitive drum; a transfer roller configured to transfer toner on the photosensitive drum to a sheet, the transfer roller being located on one side of the photosensitive drum in a second direction crossing the first direction, the transfer roller being configured to contact the photosensitive drum; a fuser configured to fix toner on the sheet, the fuser including a heater configured to heat the sheet and a pressure roller configured to press the sheet; a chute located between the transfer roller and the fuser in a third direction crossing both the first direction and the second direction, the chute causing the sheet having passed through a transfer nip to be directed toward a fixing nip, the transfer nip being a nip between the photosensitive drum and the transfer roller, the fixing nip being a nip between the heater and the pressure roller, the chute being movable in the second direction between a first position and a second position shifted from the first position toward the one side in the second direction, the chute located at the second position being farther away from an imaginary plane than the chute located at the first position, the imaginary plane passing through the transfer nip and the fixing nip; a drive source; and a reciprocating mechanism located on an other side of the chute in the second direction, the reciprocating mechanism being configured to reciprocate by drive force from the drive source and to press the chute to move between the first position and the second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reciprocating mechanism is configured to move the chute from the first position to the second position by pressing the chute from the other side in the second direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a torsion spring configured to press the chute from the second position toward the first position, wherein the reciprocating mechanism allows the chute to move from the second position to the first position by releasing pressing on the chute. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a duct located between the photosensitive drum and the fuser in the third direction, the duct being located on the other side of the chute in the second direction, wherein the chute is positioned at the first position by contacting the duct. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing nip is located on the other side of the transfer nip in the second direction; wherein the chute includes a first end and a second end in the third direction, the second end being located between the first end and the fixing nip; and wherein, in a state where the chute is located at the first position, the second end of the chute is located between the transfer nip and the fixing nip in the second direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, in a state where the chute is located at the second position, the second end of the chute is located on the one side of the transfer nip in the second direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reciprocating mechanism includes: a first member connected to the drive source and movable in the first direction; a second member connected to the first member and rotatable about an axis extending in the third direction; and a third member connected to the second member and movable in the second direction, the third member being configured to contact the chute to move the chute. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the drive source is a solenoid. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second member is rotatable in a first rotation direction and in a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction, the first rotation direction being a direction in which the chute moves from the first position to the second position, the second rotation direction being a direction in which the chute moves from the second position to the first position; wherein the reciprocating mechanism includes a pull spring configured to pull the second member in the second rotation direction; and wherein the second member is configured to rotate in the first rotation direction against force of the pull spring by the drive force of the drive source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a duct located between the photosensitive drum and the fuser in the third direction, the duct being located on the other side of the chute in the second direction, wherein an inner wall of the duct supports the reciprocating mechanism. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a fan configured discharge air in the duct; a first frame supporting the fan, the first frame supporting one end of the duct in the first direction; and a second frame located away from the first frame in the first direction, the second frame supporting the drive source, the second frame supporting an other end of the duct in the first direction, wherein the reciprocating mechanism is located away from the first frame in the first direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the drive source is located away from the first frame in the first direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chute is configured to: move from the first position to the second position after the sheet reaches the fuser; and move from the second position to the first position after the sheet passes through the transfer nip. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chute includes a first end and a second end in the third direction, the second end being located between the first end and the fixing nip; wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises: a first guide located between the chute and the fixing nip in the third direction, the first guide being configured to guide the sheet to the fixing nip, the first guide including a third end and a fourth end in the third direction, the fourth end being located between the third end and the fixing nip; and a second guide located between the first guide and the fixing nip in the third direction, the second guide being configured to guide the sheet to the fixing nip in cooperation with the first guide, the second guide including a fifth end and a sixth end in the third direction, the sixth end being located between the fifth end and the fixing nip; wherein the second end of the chute is located between the third end of the first guide and the fourth end of the first guide in the second direction; and wherein the fourth end of the first guide is located between the fifth end of the second guide and the sixth end of the second guide in the second direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the fuser includes the second guide; and wherein the image forming apparatus further comprises a support frame supporting the chute, the support frame including the first guide. ### Claim 16 An image forming apparatus comprising: a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a development device configured to supply toner to the photosensitive drum; a transfer roller configured to transfer toner on the photosensitive drum to a sheet, the transfer roller being located on one side of the photosensitive drum in a second direction crossing the first direction, the transfer roller being configured to contact the photosensitive drum; a fuser configured to fix toner on the sheet, the fuser including a heater configured to heat the sheet and a pressure roller configured to press the sheet; a chute located between the transfer roller and the fuser in a third direction crossing both the first direction and the second direction, the chute causing the sheet having passed through a transfer nip to be directed toward a fixing nip, the transfer nip being a nip between the photosensitive drum and the transfer roller, the fixing nip being a nip between the heater and the pressure roller, the chute being movable in the second direction between a first position and a second position shifted from the first position toward the one side in the second direction, the chute located at the second position being farther away from an imaginary plane than the chute located at the first position, the imaginary plane passing through the transfer nip and the fixing nip; and a conductive member located on a surface of the chute on an other side in the second direction, the chute being configured to move from the first position to the second position after a leading end of the sheet reaches the chute. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a torsion spring configured to press the chute from the second position toward the first position, wherein the conductive member is electrically connected to the torsion spring; and wherein the torsion spring is electrically connected to ground. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising: a support frame supporting the chute; and a static eliminator located between the transfer roller and the chute in the third direction, the static eliminator being configured to destaticize the sheet that has passed through the transfer nip, wherein the static eliminator is attached to the support frame. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a wire for electrically connecting the static eliminator to ground, wherein the wire is attached to the support frame. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising: a drive source; and a reciprocating mechanism located on the other side of the chute in the second direction, the reciprocating mechanism being configured to reciprocate by drive force from the drive source, the reciprocating mechanism being configured to press the chute from the other side in the second direction, thereby pressing the chute from the first position toward the second position.