# US 5,708,907 A · Serial electrophotographic apparatus having improved fixing member > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,708,907 A - Document ID: US5708907A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/506,195 - Filed: 1995-07-24 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1994-08-31 - Assignees: Fujitsu Limited - Inventors: Syuzo Masuda; Ryouichi Iwama - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5708907A ## CPC - B41J 19/20: Positive-feed character-spacing mechanisms (controlled by escapements B41J19/52) - G03G 15/32: in which the charge pattern is formed dotwise, {e.g. by a thermal head}(G03G15/04, G03G15/05, G03G15/34 take precedence) - G03G 21/1685: {for the fixing unit} - G03G 2215/00974: Electrographic recording member arranged as a carriage to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the recording sheet transport direction - G03G 2221/1639: for the fixing unit - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A carriage is constructed such that a processing part and a fixing part are fitted to a sliding part, wherein a frame on which an exposer and a process motor are mounted is rotatably fitted to the sliding part, and a housing which accommodates the fixing part and the processing part not including the exposer is rotatably and detachably fitted to the frame. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A serial electrophotographic apparatus comprising: transporting means for transporting recording paper; process driving means for rotating an image carrying body which has a rotation shaft parallel with a direction in which the recording paper is transported, said process driving means being fitted to a carriage; processing means which develops a latent image using a charger and an exposer, said exposer being rotatably fitted to the carriage, and said processing means not including the exposer being rotatably and detachably fitted to the carriage; transferring means which, placed beneath the recording paper, transfers a developed image to the recording paper as the carriage moves; translating means for translating said carriage above said transferring means in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording paper is transported; and fixing means for fixing the image transferred to the recording paper using a heated fixing member; wherein said fixing means is rotatably provided within said carriage. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided a fixing member by which said processing means not including the exposer is detachably coupled to said process driving means and said exposer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said fixing means remains coupled to said process driving means when said process driving means is detached from the processing means not including the exposer, or said fixing means remains coupled to said processing means not including the exposer when said processing means is detached from the process driving means. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said processing means is provided with a positioning part for positioning said exposer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said process driving means is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein a heat radiating member is disposed between said process driving means and said fixing means. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said process driving means and said exposer is fitted to a heat conductive mounting member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as, claimed in claim 12, wherein said exposer is fitted to said heat conductive mounting member via a heat radiating mounting member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said fixing means is fitted to said heat conductive mounting member or a heat insulating mounting member via a heat conductive member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said process driving means is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein a heat radiating member is disposed between said process driving means and said fixing means. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein a heat radiating member is disposed between said process driving means and said fixing means. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixing means is fitted to a heat conductive mounting member or a heat insulating mounting member via a heat conductive member. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein said process driving means is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein a heat radiating member is disposed between said process driving means and said fixing means. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 32 (depends on 27) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 34 (depends on 25) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein a heat radiating member is disposed between said process driving means and said fixing means. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 37 (depends on 34) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 38 (depends on 1) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said process driving means is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein a heat radiating member is disposed between said process driving means and said fixing means. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 40, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 42 (depends on 39) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 43 (depends on 38) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 43, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 45 (depends on 1) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 46 (depends on 1) A serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein lifting means for lifting said image carrying body and said fixing means away from said recording paper is provided in a sliding part of said carriage. ### Claim 47 A serial electrophotographic apparatus comprising: transporting means for transporting recording paper; process driving means for rotating an image carrying body which has a rotation shaft parallel with a direction in which the recording paper is transported, said process driving means being fitted to a carriage; processing means which develops a latent image using a charger and an exposer, said exposer being rotatably fitted to the carriage, and said processing means not including the exposer being rotatably and detachably fitted to the carriage; transferring means which, placed beneath the recording paper, transfers a developed image to the recording paper as the carriage moves; translating means for translating said carriage above said transferring means in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording paper is transported; and fixing means for fixing the image transferred to the recording paper using a heated fixing member; wherein said fixing means is rotatably and detachably provided within said carriage. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein there is provided a fixing member by which said processing means not including the exposer is detachably coupled to said process driving means and said exposer. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein said fixing means remains coupled to said process driving means when said process driving means is detached from the processing means not including the exposer, or said fixing means remains coupled to said processing means not including the exposer when said processing means is detached from the process driving means. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein said processing means is provided with a positioning part for positioning said exposer. ### Claim 51 (depends on 48) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein said process driving means is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 51, wherein a heat radiating member is disposed between said process driving means and said fixing means. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 52, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 54 (depends on 53) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 55 (depends on 52) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 52, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 56 (depends on 51) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 51, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 56, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 58 (depends on 47) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein said process driving means is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 59 (depends on 58) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 58, wherein a heat radiating member is disposed between said process driving means and said fixing means. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 59, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 62 (depends on 59) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 59, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 63 (depends on 58) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 58, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 64 (depends on 63) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 65 (depends on 47) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 66 A serial electrophotographic apparatus comprising: transporting means for transporting recording paper; process driving means for rotating an image carrying body which has a rotation shaft parallel with a direction in which the recording paper is transported, said process driving means being fitted to a carriage; processing means which develops a latent image using a charger and an exposer, said exposer being rotatably fitted to the carriage, and said processing means not including the exposer being rotatably and detachably fitted to the carriage; transferring means which, placed beneath the recording paper, transfers a developed image to the recording paper as the carriage moves; translating means for translating said carriage above said transferring means in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording paper is transported; and fixing means for fixing the image transferred to the recording paper using a heated fixing member; wherein there is provided a fixing member by which said processing means not including the exposer is detachably coupled to said process driving means and said exposer; and wherein said fixing means remains coupled to said process driving means when said process driving means is detached from the processing means not including the exposer, or said fixing means remains coupled to said processing means not including the exposer when said processing means is detached from the process driving means. ### Claim 67 A serial electrophotographic apparatus comprising: transporting means for transporting recording paper; process driving means for rotating an image carrying body which has a rotation shaft parallel with a direction in which the recording paper is transported, said process driving means being fitted to a carriage; processing means which develops a latent image using a charger and an exposer, said exposer being rotatably fitted to the carriage, and said processing means not including the exposer being rotatably and detachably fitted to the carriage; transferring means which, placed beneath the recording paper, transfers a developed image to the recording paper as the carriage moves; translating means for translating said carriage above said transferring means in a direction perpendicular t the direction in which the recording paper is transported; and fixing means for fixing the image transferred to the recording paper using a heated fixing member; wherein there is provided a fixing member by which said processing means not including the exposer is detachably coupled to said process driving wherein sand said exposer; and wherein said processing means is provided with a positioning part for positioning said exposer. ### Claim 68 A serial electrophotographic apparatus comprising: transporting means for transporting recording paper; process driving means for rotating an image carrying body which has a rotation shaft parallel with a direction in which the recording paper is transported, said process driving means being fitted to a carriage; processing means which develops a latent image using a charger and an exposer, said exposer being rotatably fitted to the carriage, and said processing means not including the exposer being rotatably and detachably fitted to the carriage; transferring means which, placed beneath the recording paper, transfers a developed image to the recording paper as the carriage moves; translating means for translating said carriage above said transferring means in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording paper is transported; and fixing means for fixing the image transferred to the recording paper using a heated fixing member; wherein at least one of said process driving means and said exposer is fitted to a heat conductive mounting member. ### Claim 69 (depends on 68) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 68, wherein said exposer is fitted to said heat conductive mounting member via a heat radiating mounting member. ### Claim 70 (depends on 68) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 68, wherein said fixing means is fitted to said heat conductive mounting member or a heat insulating mounting member via a heat conductive member. ### Claim 71 (depends on 70) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 70, wherein said process driving means is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 72 (depends on 71) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 71, wherein a heat radiating member is disposed between said process driving means and said fixing means. ### Claim 73 (depends on 72) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 72, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 74 (depends on 73) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 73, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 75 (depends on 72) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 72, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 76 (depends on 71) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 71, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 77 (depends on 76) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 78 (depends on 70) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 70, wherein a heat radiating member is disposed between said process driving means and said fixing means. ### Claim 79 (depends on 78) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 78, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 80 (depends on 79) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 79, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 81 (depends on 78) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 78, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 82 A serial electrophotographic apparatus comprising: transporting means for transporting recording paper; process driving means for rotating an image carrying body which has a rotation shaft parallel with a direction in which the recording paper is transported, said process driving means being fitted to a carriage; processing means which develops a latent image using a charger and an exposer, said exposer being rotatably fitted to the carriage, and said processing means not including the exposer being rotatably and detachably fitted to the carriage; transferring means which, placed beneath the recording paper, transfers a developed image to the recording paper as the carriage moves: translating means for translating said carriage above said transferring means in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording paper is transported; and fixing means for fixing the image transferred to the recording paper using a heated fixing member; wherein there is provided a fixing member by which said processing means not including the exposer is detachably coupled to said process driving means and said exposer; and wherein said fixing means remains coupled to said process driving means when said process driving means is detached from the processing means not including the exposer, or said fixing means remains coupled to said processing means not including the exposer when said processing means is detached from the process driving means. ### Claim 83 (depends on 82) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 82, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 84 (depends on 83) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 83, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 85 (depends on 82) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 82, wherein a heat radiating member is disposed between said process driving means and said fixing means. ### Claim 86 (depends on 85) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 85, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 87 (depends on 86) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 86, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 88 (depends on 85) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 85, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 89 A serial electrophotographic apparatus comprising: transporting means for transporting recording paper; process driving means for rotating an image carrying body which has a rotation shaft parallel with a direction in which the recording paper is transported, said process driving means being fitted to a carriage; processing means which develops a latent image using a charger and an exposer, said exposer being rotatably fitted to the carriage, and said processing means not including the exposer being rotatably and detachably fitted to the carriage; transferring means which, placed beneath the recording paper, transfers a developed image to the recording paper as the carriage moves; translating means for translating said carriage above said transferring means in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording paper is transported; and fixing means for fixing the image transferred to the recording paper using a heated fixing member; wherein said process driving means is provided above said fixing means; and wherein a heat radiating member is disposed between said process driving means and said fixing means. ### Claim 90 (depends on 89) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 89, wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 91 (depends on 90) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 90, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 92 (depends on 89) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 89, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 93 A serial electrophotographic apparatus comprising: transporting means for transporting recording paper; process driving means for rotating an image carrying body which has a rotation shaft parallel with a direction in which the recording paper is transported, said process driving means being fitted to a carriage; processing means which develops a latent image using a charger and an exposer, said exposer being rotatably fitted to the carriage, and said processing means not including the exposer being rotatably and detachably fitted to the carriage; transferring means which, placed beneath the recording paper, transfers a developed image to the recording paper as the carriage moves; translating means for translating said carriage above said transferring means in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording paper is transported; and fixing means for fixing the image transferred to the recording paper using a heated fixing member; wherein said process driving means is provided above said fixing means; and wherein a heat insulating member is provided above said fixing means. ### Claim 94 (depends on 93) The serial electrophotographic apparatus as claimed in claim 93, wherein heating means for heating said fixing means by induction heating is provided adjacent to a position at which the carriage is located at a start of a printing operation. ### Claim 95 A serial electrophotographic apparatus comprising: transporting means for transporting recording paper; process driving means for rotating an image carrying body which has a rotation shaft parallel with a direction in which the recording paper is transported, said process driving means being fitted to a carriage; processing means which develops a latent image using a charger and an exposer, said exposer being rotatably fitted to the carriage, and said processing means not including the exposer being rotatably and detachably fitted to the carriage; transferring means which, placed beneath the recording paper, transfers a developed image to the recording paper as the carriage moves; translating means for translating said carriage above said transferring means in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the recording paper is transported; and fixing means for fixing the image transferred to the recording paper using a heated fixing member; wherein lifting means for lifting said image carrying body and said fixing means away from said recording paper is provided in a sliding part of said carriage.