US5157444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for controlling the lateral shifting of an endless belt by detecting belt position
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1991-01-03
•
Granted: 1992-10-20
•
Expires: 2011-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A lateral shift control apparatus for an endless belt includes a lateral shifting driver for applying to the endless belt a lateral shifting force in lateral directions; a switching device for switching direction of the lateral shifting force; a detector for detecting a lateral end position of the endless belt; and a controller responsive to an output of the detector to control the switching device. The lateral end portion detected by the detector is provided with an inclined portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Satoshi Mori
- 👤 Yoshihiko Suzuki
- 👤 Shokyo Koh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:18
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/75; G03G15/754; G03G15/755; B; B65; B65G; B65G39/00; B65G39/10; B65G39/12; B65G39/16; G03G15/20; G03G15/2003; G03G15/2014; G03G15/2064; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/00135; G03G2215/00139; G03G2215/00143; G03G2215/00156
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An image heating apparatus comprising: a heater; an endless belt movable together with a supporting material supporting an image, wherein the image is heated by heat from said heater through the endless belt; lateral shifting means for applying a lateral force to said endless belt in a first direction and a second direction which is opposite from the first direction; detecting means for detecting the position of the endless belt; and switching means for switching the direction of the force of said lateral shifting means in accordance with an output of said detecting means, wherein said detecting means includes a sensing element, and wherein said switching means effects its switching action in accordance with a sensing time of said sensing element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An image heating apparatus comprising: a heater; an endless belt movable together with a supporting material supporting an image, wherein the image is heated by heat from said heater through the endless belt; lateral shifting means for applying a lateral force to said endless belt in a first direction and a second direction which is opposite from the first direction; detecting means for detecting the position of the endless belt; and switching means for switching the direction of the force of said lateral shifting means in accordance with an output of said detecting means, wherein said detecting means includes a sensing element, and wherein said switching means effects its switching action in accordance with a sensing time of said sensing element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing member for pressing the supporting material to said heater and said endless belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said endless belt has a thickness smaller than 100 microns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensing element senses and end of said endless belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensing element includes a photosensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said endless belt blocks light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensing time changes in accordance with the position of said endless belt in the direction of lateral shift.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the sensing time is longer than a first predetermined period, said switching means effects its switching operation from the first direction to the second direction, and when the sensing time is shorter than a second predetermined period, said switching means effects its switching operation from the second direction to the first direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first predetermined period is different from the second predetermined period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensing element directly detects said endless belt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising error checking means for discriminating a malfunction when the sensing time is larger than a predetermined period.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising stopping means for stopping said apparatus when said error checking means discriminates a malfunction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising display means for displaying data indicating an occurrence of a malfunction of said endless belt when said error checking means discriminates the malfunction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said sensing element is provided only for one lateral side of said endless belt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
98 words
A lateral shift control apparatus for an endless belt, comprising: lateral shifting means for applying a lateral force to the endless belt in a first direction and a second direction which is opposite from the first direction; detecting means for detecting the position of the endless belt; and switching means for switching the direction of the force of said lateral shifting means in accordance with an output of said detecting means, wherein said detecting means includes a sensing element, and wherein said switching means effects its switching action in accordance with a sensing time of said sensing element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
98 words
A lateral shift control apparatus for an endless belt, comprising: lateral shifting means for applying a lateral force to the endless belt in a first direction and a second direction which is opposite from the first direction; detecting means for detecting the position of the endless belt; and switching means for switching the direction of the force of said lateral shifting means in accordance with an output of said detecting means, wherein said detecting means includes a sensing element, and wherein said switching means effects its switching action in accordance with a sensing time of said sensing element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said sensing element senses an end of the endless belt.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said sensing element includes a photosensor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the endless belt blocks light.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the sensing time changes in accordance with the position of the endless belt in the direction of lateral shift.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein when the sensing time is longer than a first predetermined period, said switching means effects it switching operation from the first direction to the second direction, and when the sensing time is shorter than a second predetermined period, said switching means effects it switching operation from the second direction to the first direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the first predetermined period is different from the second predetermined period.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said sensing element directly detects the endless belt.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising error checking means for discriminating a malfunction when the sensing time is larger than a predetermined period.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising stopping means for stopping said apparatus when said error checking means discriminates the malfunction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising display means for displaying data indicating an occurrence of a malfunction of the belt when said error checking means discriminates the malfunction.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said sensing element is provided only for one lateral side of the endless belt.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
86 words
An endless belt driving apparatus comprising: an endless belt; lateral shifting means for applying to said belt a lateral shifting force; detecting means for detecting the position of the endless belt; and switching means for switching a direction of the force of said lateral shifting means in accordance with an output of said detecting means, wherein said endless belt includes an inclined portion which is inclined with respect to a plane normal to a generating line thereof, and wherein said detecting means detects the inclined portion.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
86 words
An endless belt driving apparatus comprising: an endless belt; lateral shifting means for applying to said belt a lateral shifting force; detecting means for detecting the position of the endless belt; and switching means for switching a direction of the force of said lateral shifting means in accordance with an output of said detecting means, wherein said endless belt includes an inclined portion which is inclined with respect to a plane normal to a generating line thereof, and wherein said detecting means detects the inclined portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said detecting means detects the position of the lateral end of said endless belt at one side thereof, and wherein said switching means alternately switches the shifting direction in accordance with the detection of said detecting means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said endless belt has the inclined portion only at one lateral end portion.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said endless belt has a later end edge inclined along its entire circumference.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said detecting means comprises a photosensor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said endless belt blocks light.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said switching means switches the direction of the force of said lateral shifting means in accordance with sensing time of said detecting means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 33, said switching means compares the sensing time with a predetermined time period to control said lateral shifting means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said endless belt has a width which is different at different circumferential positions thereof, and wherein a lateral deviation of said endless belt is smaller than the difference between the maximum width and the minimum width of said endless belt.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising error checking means for discriminating a malfunction in accordance with the sensing time.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising stopping means for stopping said apparatus when said error checking means discriminates a malfunction.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising display means for displaying data indicating an occurrence of a malfunction of said endless belt when said error checking means discriminates the malfunction.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said detecting means is provided only for one lateral end of said endless belt.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
111 words
An image heating apparatus comprising: a heater; an endless belt movable together with a supporting material supporting an image, wherein the image is heated by heat from said heater through said endless belt; lateral shifting means for applying to said endless belt a lateral shifting force; detecting means for detecting the position of the endless belt; and switching means for switching a direction of the force of said lateral shifting means in accordance with an output of said detecting means, wherein said endless belt includes an inclined portion which is inclined with respect to a plane normal to a generating line thereof, and wherein said detecting means detects the inclined portion.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
111 words
An image heating apparatus comprising: a heater; an endless belt movable together with a supporting material supporting an image, wherein the image is heated by heat from said heater through said endless belt; lateral shifting means for applying to said endless belt a lateral shifting force; detecting means for detecting the position of the endless belt; and switching means for switching a direction of the force of said lateral shifting means in accordance with an output of said detecting means, wherein said endless belt includes an inclined portion which is inclined with respect to a plane normal to a generating line thereof, and wherein said detecting means detects the inclined portion.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, further comprising a pressing member for pressing the supporting material to said heater and said endless belt.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said endless belt has a thickness smaller than 100 microns.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said detecting means senses an end of the endless belt.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said detecting means includes a photosensor.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said endless belt blocks light.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said detecting means further comprises a sensing element, wherein said switching means effects its switching action in accordance with a sensing time of said sensing element, wherein the sensing time changes in accordance with the position of said endless belt in the direction of the lateral shift.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 46, wherein when the sensing time is longer than a first predetermined period, said switching means effects it switching operation from a first direction to a second direction, and when the sensing time is shorter than a second predetermined period, said switching means effects it switching operation from the second direction to the first direction.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the first predetermined period is different from the second predetermined period.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said detecting means further comprises a sensing element, wherein said switching means effects its switching action in accordance with a sensing time of said sensing element, wherein said sensing element directly detects said endless belt.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said detecting means further comprises a sensing element, wherein said switching means effects its switching action in accordance with a sensing time of the sensing element, said apparatus further comprising error checking means for discriminating a malfunction when the sensing time is larger than a predetermined period.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 50, further comprising stopping means for stopping said apparatus when said error checking means discriminates the malfunction.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 51, further comprising display means for displaying data indicating a occurrence of a malfunction of said belt when said error checking means discriminates the malfunction.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 51, wherein said detecting means includes a sensing element, and wherein said switching means effects its switching action in accordance with a sensing time of said sensing element, wherein said sensing element is provided only for one lateral side of said belt.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4404572A
Cited
US4286706A
Cited
US4385716A
Cited
US4344693A
Cited
US4429985A
Cited
US4462676A
Cited
US4547059A
Cited
US4483607A
Cited
JPS60171906A
Cited
JPS60178111A
Cited
US4565439A
Cited
EP0287874A1
Cited
US5043763A
Cited
US4998121A
Cited
US5026276A
Cited
US5083168A
Cited
US5027160A
Cited
US4959040A
Cited
US5091752A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-20 | 1996-04-20 | 1996-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-20 | 2000-04-20 | 2000-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-20 | 2004-04-20 | 2004-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |